**Microsoft Redirects Its Attention to Teams as Skype Bids Adieu**

Skype is reaching its conclusion—but its impact will endure.

Microsoft, which bought Skype in 2011, revealed in a [blog post](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/02/28/the-next-chapter-moving-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams/) that the widely-used video calling application will officially cease operations on May 5. From now on, Microsoft Teams will serve as the company’s exclusive video communication solution.

To facilitate the transition, Microsoft is permitting Skype users to access Teams with their current Skype credentials, with conversations being automatically transferred to the new service. Moreover, users will also have the ability to export their Skype information if they wish to maintain a personal archive.

### Reflecting on Skype’s Impact

For those who are younger, it might be difficult to envision, but there was once a period when “Skype” was synonymous with video communication—similarly to how “FaceTime” and “Zoom” are regarded today. Introduced in 2003, Skype emerged as a leading entity in online interactions, changing ownership several times before being acquired by Microsoft in 2011.

Nevertheless, as FaceTime and Zoom rose in prominence, Skype slowly diminished in visibility, even as Microsoft continued to provide support. Now, after over twenty years, its story is drawing to a close.

Skype users have until early May to transition. In the meantime, let’s take a moment to pay tribute to one of the initial trailblazers of video calling.