Under Settings > General, the desktop version of Skype lets you automatically start Skype at boot and keep it running in your notification area, also known as your system tray. But, dig a little deeper, and you’ll notice differences.įor example, the desktop version of Skype offers more options. They’re both based on Skype 8, so that makes sense. To get the desktop version of Skype 8, you have to click the down arrow next to the download button and select “Get Skype for Windows” beneath the various Linux download options.Īt first glance, these apps look the same. The normal “Get Skype for Windows 10” option downloads the Store version of Skype 8.

Microsoft really hides this download, too! To find it, you have to head to the Skype download web page. RELATED: Microsoft Is Killing Skype Classic on November 1, and Here's Why People Are Upset How to Download Skype from Microsoft’s Website You can install both on your system at the same time, and you can even run them both at once, side by side. But the downloadable version has more features. Here’s where it gets confusing: Both Skype apps are based on the new Skype 8 code, and they’re very similar. This is called a “Desktop App” in the Start menu, and it has the traditional Skype bubble icon. It has extra features, as it doesn’t have to deal with the limitations of the UWP sandbox. If you have Skype Classic installed, it will automatically install this version of Skype on your system soon. “Skype for Windows” is available for download from Microsoft’s Skype website.This is called a “Trusted Microsoft Store App” in the Start menu, and it has a Windows 10-style tile icon. It’s a UWP app, which means it has various limitations, unlike old desktop apps. “Skype for Windows 10” is included with Windows 10.There are two versions of Skype for Windows:

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