Microsoft Is Killing Off Skype

Shutting down Skype will help Microsoft focus on its homegrown Teams service by simplifying its communication offerings, the software giant said on Friday.

When the pandemic and work-from-home fueled the need for online business calls, Microsoft batted for Teams by aggressively integrating it with other Office apps to tap corporate users - once a major base for Skype.

To ease the transition from the platform, its users will be able to log into Teams for free on any supported device using their existing credentials, with chats and contacts migrating automatically.

Microsoft said on Friday Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and that it is honoured to have been part of the journey.

Skype was a revolutionary product when it was launched in the early 2000s by founders Niklas Zennstrom of Sweden and Janus Friis of Denmark.