How to remove
Uninstall Skype
from Windows

Hello, I am having unusual issues with Skype software, so I wanted to uninstall Skype and then reinstall it again. Can you provide directions on how to do it?

The tutorial provided below explains how to uninstall and reinstall Skype properly on Windows and Mac OS. Deleting the software from your PC or Mac completely and then installing Skype again can help to solve certain technical issues. The tutorial provided below will also come in handy for those that seek to delete Skype for good. However, users should remember that deleting the software doesn’t close Skype account, therefore, additional steps need to be taken. 

Skype is an instant messaging app that belongs to Microsoft. It is clear that the app is entirely legitimate, although there were cases when scammers succeeded to push malicious ads via it. Despite that, millions of users trust Skype and use it for daily communications. However, if you started to experience certain issues when using it and you are not ready to look for a particular fix, you can completely uninstall and reinstall the software using one of the tutorials provided below. We have prepared in-depth instructions for both Mac and Windows OS users.

Uninstalling Skype on Windows OS

Before you begin, you might want to back up your chat history as well as personal files. To do this, press Windows key and R key on your keyboard. Once the Run window opens, type: %appdata%\skype and click OK. Then create a copy of My Skype Received Files folder and move the created copy to a different location, for example, Desktop.

1. Close Skype. If the icon of the program stays in the taskbar, right-click on it and then choose to Quit. Then press down Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open Windows Task Manager and find Skype process. Select it and choose End Task.
2. Press Windows key and R key at the same time again. This time, type appwiz.cpl in the Run window and hit OK.
   In the provided list, locate Skype and right-click on it. When a menu of options appears, choose Uninstall or Remove (whichever is available).
3. Open the Run window using the same technique with Windows and R key and type %appdata%, then press OK.
   In the folder that opens, right-click on Skype folder and choose Delete option.
4. To completely eliminate Skype’s components, go to both of these directories: C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86) and delete Skype and SkypePM folders (if they are still there).
5. Now, it is time to clean Windows Registry from Skype remains. Press down Windows and R keys at the same type, then in the Run window, type in regedit, press OK. Once the Registry Editor opens, go to Edit>Find.
6. In the Find what field, type Skype and hit Find Next. Right-click on every detected component and select Delete. Continue clicking Find Next button until you find all of associated files. According to Skype Support, you can find up to 50 entries to delete.
7. To reinstall Skype, download the latest Skype version from the official developer’s website here. Open its installer and follow the instructions to install the software correctly. Then finally, to restore the information from a recently created backup, open the Run window once again, type %appdata%\skype, press OK. Now, move the copies of folders that you previously created into the %appdata%\skype folder.

Uninstalling Skype on Mac OS

1. Quit Skype first - select Skype and choose Quit Skype.
2. Go to Applications folder, find Skype and drag it to Trash.
3. To delete chat and call history, follow this step. If you’d like to keep it, skip this step. Use Mac’s search to open ~/Library/Application Support folder. Open it, and drag Skype folder to Trash.
4. Use search to find ~/Library/Preferences folder. Here, find com.skype.skype.plist file and drag it to Trash.
5. Use search to check the Mac OS system for remaining Skype components once again, this time simply type in: Skype. Move the results to Trash.
6. Right-click on Trash and select Empty Trash.
7. Restart Mac.

Download the latest version of Skype and install it with the help of Skype installation wizard.

If you cannot uninstall Skype using instructions provided below, you can try automatic software removal tools such as [rev id="Perfect Uninstaller"] (for Windows) or [rev id=”CleanMyMac”] (for Macs).