It's time to say goodbye to Skype in May, but it's still used by many

Microsoft will officially put Skype to bed after more than two decades of use, letting it fade into the sunset to clear the stage for Microsoft Teams. According to XDA Developers, who reported this change, a message announcing this was spotted in the latest Skype for Windows preview.

The message hidden in the software’s source reads: Starting in May, Skype will no longer be available. Continue your calls and chats in Teams. After that, Microsoft adds another recommendation for users to start using Teams instead.

In 2003, we reported about Microsoft’s announcement that Skype will be replaced by Microsoft Teams, so it was only a question of time until Skype’s outage.

Interestingly enough, in 2024, there were over 2 billion Skype users, with over 30 million in the U.S. according to the data provided by Statista. However, even more interesting is that according to another set of data from ElectroIQ, there are still over 35.000 U.S. companies using Skype.

Although Skype doesn’t appear dead, it’s clear that Microsoft really wants to push Teams forward as the main tool for business communication.

It’s pretty straightforward: the tech landscape has evolved, and so have the needs of its users. While Skype was revolutionary in its heyday, things have changed. Microsoft Teams now offers a more integrated experience with better collaboration features and security protocols that appeal to both large enterprises and everyday users. By focusing on Teams, Microsoft aims to cut through the clutter and provide a more cohesive communication experience.

For many users, it feels like saying goodbye to an old friend, one that’s been a staple for online chats and calls since the early days of the internet.

However, Microsoft made a lot of effort lately to improve Teams and make it a better alternative to the dusty old Skype.

What do you think about Skype’s demise? Let’s talk about it in the comments below.