On May 5, 2025, Microsoft will retire the Skype consumer service client, shifting focus to Microsoft Teams (free). After that date, Skype consumers can no longer log into Skype. Microsoft has a transition in place, that automatically moves your data, chats etc. to Microsoft Teams, to make the switch convenient.
On October 14, 2025, the following products reach their end of support:
- Skype for Business 2016
- Skype for Business 2019
- Skype for Business Server 2015
- Skype for Business Server 2019
…as announced here: https://www.schneider.im/microsoft-prepare-for-end-of-support-in-2025/.
After a product’s support period ends, Microsoft no longer provides:
- Security fixes for vulnerabilities that are discovered and that may make devices, apps, or servers more directly exposed to security breaches.
- Bug fixes for issues that are discovered and that may impact the stability and usability of the product.
- Technical support for problems that may occur.
Hasn’t Skype been retired for years already?
This announcement concerns the consumer service of Skype, which will retire von May 5, 2025.
Skype for Business Online, which concerns enterprise customers, was retired on July 31, 2021, and has not been accessible since: https://www.schneider.im/microsoft-skype-for-business-online-retired/.
Are there still Skype products in place?
Yes, for enterprise customers that still want to use Skype in their organization, Skype for Business Server is the product to go with. Skype for Business Server SE, which is the next release of Microsoft Skype for Business Server, is expected to be released sometime in July or August of 2025: https://www.schneider.im/microsoft-skype-for-business-server-subscription-edition-se/. It will replace Skype for Business Server 2019 (end of support in October 2025) and will be available through a subscription model similar to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition and Exchange Server Subscription Edition.
What is Skype?
Skype is the predecessor of Microsoft Teams, a telecommunications application that provides video chat, instant messaging and voice call services.
What are the benefits of using Microsoft Teams over Skype?
- Integration: Integrated with Microsoft 365 apps.
- Meetings: Supports up to 1,000 participants (instead of 100 in Skype); advanced tools like breakout rooms and live captions.
- Security: Enterprise-grade features and admin controls.
- Organization: Channels for organized communication.
- Apps: Extensive third-party app integrations. Copilot for Microsoft 365 integrations.
- Unified Platform: Combines chat, meetings, calls, and collaboration in one place.
More Information
Announcement: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/02/28/the-next-chapter-moving-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams/.
Contact us today for consultancy on how to maximize the value of Microsoft Teams for your enterprise.