Microsoft Officially Retires Skype After 21 Years

Microsoft has officially retired Skype, the pioneering VoIP platform launched in 2003 that once revolutionized digital communication and reached over 400 million users at its peak. Skype's decline was attributed to competition from Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, as well as interface changes and technical issues, despite the surge in remote communication during the pandemic. Microsoft has encouraged users to transition to Teams, which preserves core calling and messaging features while adding meetings and calendar management. Migration to Teams is streamlined, with contacts and chats preserved. Paid Skype features will be supported for a transitional period following the shutdown. The closure of Skype marks the end of an influential era in global communication.