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Microsoft Plans to Keep Skype Classic Available 'for Some Time' Following User Backlash

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Microsoft last month announced plans to shut down Skype 7, aka Skype Classic, on PCs and Macs in September, with the company encouraging customers to instead upgrade to the latest version of Skype, Skype 8.

Skype 8, first introduced last year, features a total design overhaul that has not been popular with some customers, which led some Skype users to be unhappy with Microsoft's announcement.

skypeupdate80
As of today, as pointed out by Windows blog Thurrott, Microsoft has changed its mind following user feedback. In a forum post, the Skype team says that support for Skype 7 will not end in September, with the end of life date extended to an unknown time.

UPDATE: Based on customer feedback, we are extending support for Skype 7 (Skype classic) for some time. Our customers can continue to use Skype classic until then.

It is not clear how long "some time" will be, but customers who prefer the design of Skype 7 can continue using that version of Skype instead of upgrading to Skype 8.

The Skype team also said that it is listening to customer comments and plans to introduce features customers have requested into Skype 8. Classic Skype for Mac can be downloaded directly from Microsoft, as can Skype 8.

Top Rated Comments

100 months ago
Give us end-to-end encryption. No more government loopholes.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
100 months ago
any UI changes -> major customer backlash. customers just don't want to change.
...
except for dark mode.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThisBougieLife Avatar
100 months ago
The Windows store version of Skype actually was a step down. Things (graphics, emoticons) appeared blurred that were fine in the previous version. I’m not someone who opposes all change, but I oppose it if it’s a step down.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pat500000 Avatar
100 months ago
Just use the same design of 7 and enhance more stuff.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
100 months ago
-
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
100 months ago
90% of the people that wanted the experience of Skype 8 had left the platform, while the update made their current users leave the platform. It’s baffling how a company can be so disconnected from their users.

But it’s not unique for such a disconnect with big backlash causing them to start listening. That’s exactly what Apple have experienced with Macs.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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