Microsoft officially shut down Skype on May 5, 2025, after more than 20 years of service. This decision is part of Microsoft’s strategy to refocus its efforts on Microsoft Teams, a more modern platform suited to today’s business and personal uses.

Data remains accessible until January 2026

Skype data remains accessible and can be exported or deleted until January 2026. After this date, Skype will no longer be available, and certain services such as SMS, call forwarding, and Skype Credit will be removed. Microsoft therefore encourages users to migrate to Teams, which integrates Skype’s core features and offers a better communication experience.

In short, Skype is disappearing to make way for Teams, which is becoming Microsoft’s single solution for online communication, both for individuals and businesses.

Why is Microsoft deciding to shut down Skype?

Microsoft decided to shut down Skype to focus on a single communication platform: Microsoft Teams, which integrates Skype’s features while offering more modern services adapted to current uses, particularly in the professional environment.

Skype has lost users to competitors like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Discord, and has not been able to evolve quickly enough, especially during the pandemic, unlike Teams, which has been very successful. Maintaining two competing services was costly and confusing, hence the desire to streamline the offering by unifying the user experience on Teams, which also benefits from advanced integrations and artificial intelligence tools.

What are the consequences for businesses using Skype?

Businesses using Skype must migrate to Microsoft Teams, as Skype will be permanently discontinued on May 5, 2025. This transition has several implications:

Data Migration: Businesses can transfer their chats, contacts, and history to Teams for free, or export this data if they do not wish to adopt Teams.

Adaptation Techniques: Businesses must manage network quality of service, as Skype for Business could generate significant traffic impacting other critical applications. Teams offers better network optimization and flow management.

Change Management: IT teams must support users through this transition, particularly given the differences between Skype for Business, Skype for Business, and Teams, to avoid confusion and ensure compliance with security and governance rules.

Finding Certain Services: Skype-specific features, such as Skype Credit or certain SMS services, will be removed, which may require adjustments to internal usage.