After more than two decades of service, Microsoft has officially shut down Skype, marking the end of an era in digital communication. The move, effective May 5, 2025, signals the tech giant’s intent to streamline its communication platforms and dedicate resources to the rapidly growing Microsoft Teams, which has now become its flagship messaging and video conferencing tool.
Originally launched in 2003, Skype revolutionized how people connected across the globe, enabling free voice and video calls over the internet long before such features became standard. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion when the platform boasted approximately 150 million monthly active users. However, the software’s popularity steadily declined, particularly during the pandemic-driven shift to remote work, when more agile competitors like Zoom surged in adoption. By 2020, Skype’s user base had dwindled to just 23 million monthly users.
Microsoft stated that shutting down Skype will allow it to simplify its communications portfolio and focus innovation on Teams, which was introduced in 2017. The company reports that Teams now has about 320 million monthly active users—a staggering contrast to Skype’s diminished presence. Users of Skype are being offered a seamless transition, with the ability to log into the free version of Teams using their existing Skype credentials. Chats and contact lists will migrate automatically, ensuring continuity for those who choose to stay within Microsoft’s ecosystem.
For users who do not wish to switch to Teams, Microsoft is allowing data exports. However, any data that remains untouched will be deleted by January 2026, the company confirmed on its website.
In reflecting on Skype’s legacy, a Microsoft executive acknowledged its influential role in shaping modern communication. “Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of the journey,” said Jeff Tepper, president of collaborative apps and platforms at Microsoft.
Although Microsoft declined to reveal Skype’s latest user figures, it confirmed that no job losses would result from the transition. The shutdown comes as part of a broader corporate focus on artificial intelligence, productivity, and integrated digital workspaces—areas where Teams has proven to be far more adaptive and scalable than its predecessor.
