Microsoft plans to stop supporting the desktop version of Skype 7.0, or Skype Classic as it’s fondly called by dedicated users, on November 1st, while the mobile and tablet versions will be cut off on November 15th. The company announced the change on the Skype blog today, telling users that, “Although you may be able to use older versions for a little while, we encourage you to update today to avoid any interruption.”
The Skype saga has been one of the more contentious for the Windows maker over the course of the last couple of years. Microsoft originally rolled out a big Skype redesign last year that included a lot of Snapchat-like elements. It was an attempt to transform its core messaging product into something that was perhaps more attractive to younger audiences and quite the opposite for, say, the older business-oriented and professional users that make up a majority of Skype’s user base.
Microsoft has spent the past year tweaking Skype on mobile and desktop to find a happy medium. Last month, the company announced it would be keeping Skype Classic around “for some time” while it integrated a number of features that long-time users felt were missing from the redesigned Skype 8.0. Earlier this month, the company began removing and further tweaking more of the mobile-first features and design in yet another redesign, this time aimed at appeasing existing users instead of trying to appeal to new ones.
Now, it looks like Microsoft is finally ready to say goodbye to the old Skype, even if it means forcing a bit of unwanted change on its user base. It’s not clear how long Skype Classic will continue operating after the company ceases supporting it; the editor’s note on the blog post says that it will be useable for just “a little while.” But it seems like Microsoft has made enough changes that it won’t be a difficult transition.
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