Skype is owned by Microsoft, so it was no surprise that the all-important Skype app made it on the Windows Store in time for the launch of Windows 8. Only just, however. We gave the Skype app for Windows 8 a spin on both a Samsung Series 7 Slate and our primary desktop PC, both running Windows 8 Pro. See also: Best Windows apps: Windows 8 app group test.
One of the oddities of Windows 8 apps is that they exist only in the Modern UI. When using a tablet this is less of an issue, as you'll spend most of your time in that environment (the Desktop part of Windows RT devices such as Microsoft Surface RT is a barren wasteland). But on a desktop or laptop it means you really need to have the desktop version as well as installing the app, or use Skype only in the Modern UI. You're unlikely to do the latter, as it means you can't use Skype and any other desktop apps simultaneously.
So in Windows 8 at least Skype - like Firefox - becomes a game of two apps. There's one difference, however. Firefox for Windows 8 is installed as a single app, then works differently in both environments. If you install Skype for Windows 8 and the original Skype you'll have two separate apps: search for 'Skype' and two identical icons will appear. Our advice - if you're using a desktop or laptop PC, mainly in the desktop environment, don't bother with the Windows 8 Skype app. Unless the following is of interest...
The potential killer aspect of this app is the Windows 8 split-screen functionality, and the ability to snap in Windows to a portion of your screen. So with Skype for Windows 8 you can continue a Skype call with the righthand panel of your display, and get on with something else with the rest. (You could, for instance, watch a program on iPlayer whilst chatting about it with a friend, or work collaboratively on a document.)
Using Skype for Windows 8
Importantly, apart from giving the interface a Modern UI facelift, the core video and audio calling functions have been left largely alone. By default video calls take up the full screen. You can select to have text chat on the right, too. In our tests on all devices audio and visual quality was good - exactly as it is on the existing Windows version of Skype.
But that facelift is worth the price of admission for tablet users and Modern UI fans. the new-look Skype is great. The design is typically Windows 8: big square panes of simple tones. Chunky icons are plonked just where you'd expect so that the Skype app is - like much of Windows 8 - comfortable to work with regardless of whether you are using touchscreen, touch pad or mouse. Of course, if you are using mouse and keyboard, you'll probably use the desktop app anyway...
Bespoke Windows 8 touch gestures include dragging down from the top of the screen to see recent conversations, and dragging down and holding in order to move and snap your Skype pane.
Skype for Windows 8: new features, bad points
Windows Messenger is integrated into this Skype app, which is a nice touch. And the app is coded in such a way that if it is running but not actually doing anything, it doesn't take any of your processing power. That's right: zero draw on your CPU. It should be the standard.
There are some minor niggles. The notifications acan be annoying. If you aren't using Skype, getting a message from the app when you are not using it is useful. If you have just finished a conversation you probably don't need to be notified about it all over again - but that's what happens as soon as you leave the app.
Also, presumably in order to prevent power and CPU draw, the app doesn't really run in the background when you are doing other things. Switch back to Skype and the messages pour in. Finally - and this may just be us being stupid (stranger things have happened): but let me know if you can work out how to use two different logins to Skype for Windows 8 without logging out of the OS. You can, of course, have multiple Windows accounts, each with their own Skype logins.
Comments
Bob Hu said: Planned Skype skipy Install instructions re-duxFor items 1 to 6 use a location that will be safe from interference from any installs a new folder this a belt amp braces approach1 Create a restore point or some form of system state backup2 Back up Registry httpwindowsmicrosoftcome or whatever way ya wanna do it run regeditthen file then export3 Open Windows Live Mail Only if this is what you use but who knows what else skipy breaks4 Export all mail use Microsoft exchange then do it again using windows live mail setting Make sure you select all folders when offered the option and be prepared to wait each time5 Export contacts6 Export accounts7 Install skipy close eyes cross fingers touch wood and pray to whatever god you worship8 Restart your computer regardless9 Try skipy and make sure EVERYTHING still works Skydrive email etc etc etc10 If everything is working as it should with no errors then skipy was installed correctly and you can breath a massive sigh of relief11 If ANYTHING is acting up then skipy did what it does best and broke something12 First off if you have REVO uninstaller or similar then use that to DUMP delete destroy skipy13 Use System restore to jump back pre- skipy14 Restore your registry15 Restart computer16 Check that everything is working as it should17 If you still have issues go grab Windows live essentials and re-install18 Go to skipy web site and tell em skipy is firuked19 Find the Skipy page that lets you continue to use MSN messenger and follow the instructions20 Come back to skipy web site and whine some more this time with much more enthusiasmRan skipySelected englishTurned OFF the run when computer starts optionSelected More OptionsChanged install path fom CProgram Files x86Skype to DProgram Files x86SkypeClosed eyes and clicked I agree even though I dontLeft click to call tickedHit ContinueTurned off all the BUNG crpHit Continue AGAINSelected the sign in with FBgave it password and left the signe me in option tickedtested soundclosed webcam that had opened up all on its own hit continueOK it didnt pick up on my profile pic BUGclicked add later Hmm next page has a pic random one from FB i thinkhit start using skipyMost contacts are missing from the ALL selectionuse the FB contacts optionGreeted with an error connecting to FB bughit recoonect to fbmost of the contacts are there but not all bugZERO adverts LOL so much easier to block them on skype than its was on WLM bonusNot seeing the most current FB updates bugSeeing some updates that I had prev blocked from FB bugjust realise EVERYONE is showing online WTF bugSome contacts showing multiple times on the fb sidewhole fb friends thing is a mish mash of stuff that has no real ordercant find the view comments option for FB friends was hidden under add comment bughit the view all comments and get a small scrolling box with small fontsOK now everyone is offline but I know 2 that are ONLINE bugstill looking for font optionsnothing found in prefs for fonts etc prob a registry tweak or some other computer destroying hacknot seeing anything like a useful front end as offered by WLM by way of display of informationused FB friend link to take me to the FB page get a skype pop upHIT firuke off skipyskipy doesnt take me to quite the correct fb page with the fb update i clicked on but close bug Time to check and see what it brokeSkydrive icon is missing from taskbar and start menuother WLE parts also missing not that I used them much but I know people doMail still operational thats an improvement over the last time I tried skipyI can CONFIRM that skipy DOES indeed breal Windows live essentialsIf you got this far I also have WLM running right alongside skipy still at this pointnever did find font sizes or other display otionsinitial impression is that it is still very much a betaRan WLE directly from web its going to suse WLE 2012 oddselected ALLclicked ok on the one last thing pop upinstall took a fraction of a second so I am pretty sure it did NOT installclick the close boxcheck programs and skydrive option is backappears to work so going to presume that skipy just wrecked a reg settingskydrive was synced before skipy but its doing a new syncNOT used skipy itself yet will save that for later
Mogo said: Not to mention there is no backwards compatibility with its own software I cant send or accept files with anyone not using the same skype as me who the fuck OKd this application Its intrusive unresponsive clunky irrelevant and useless Uninstall this failware immediately and go back to the desktop version
Sam Nimmo said: Well its been a few months and Skype has only gotten worse Missing a good 80 of the features and nothing does what it is supposed to Bad audiovideo quality on high-end computers with good webcams and fast internet Crashes and breaks to the point of requiring reinstallation frequently It takes over the volume of other programs in Windows even when it has been set not to AND IT DOESNT HAVE ANY VOLUME CONTROLS I can easily say genuinely and without the slightest hint of exaggeration that Skype for Windows 8 is by far the worst app I have ever used in my life
Superpixel said: Skype for Windows 8 suuuuucks How stupid can they be
Mat444 said: Great review seems most users find it difficult to adjust to the new Skype interface this link will also to get more app reviews httpwwwtopappsforwindows8
Phil Grundig said: Sype for Win8 is just one more example of how bad Windows 8 really is for laptoppc users Hate hate Windows 8 How do I get Win 7 back for sake Hate this crap hate Modern UI I hate Microsoft Buying Apple next no more Windows anything Ever
Scott said: I agree with the others its awful on a PCEverything is slower to do - things that were in front of you before now take multiple clicks to get to Full screen by default is stupid - most calls and messaging I do is not video Snap to partial screen is NOT a good new feature - I could do that before AND decide exactly how much of the screen it takes up The whole thing is a step backwards in productivity - the trend towards making stuff look good but harder slower to use is utter utter rubbish
Matt Egan said: Just go to desktop and use a web browser to search for an install Skype - as you would on Windows 7
Slainangel said: I would love to know how to install a windows 7 version on this windows 8 computer i LOATHE running this horrific version of skype it is a nightmare
ekmi said: Only with the help of a PC expert was I able to use Skype on Windows 8which was absolutely clear But no video picture And of course my Hotmail account is now my Skype name - how stupid
hdvid said: I got rid of that Skype app by uninstalling it and installed old desktop version from Skype website that was the only way to solve account linkage mess and backwards interface
Rhino Mk said: Very trueyou cannot even share screens transfer files which was possible with desktop version so why the hell use win8 skypeits not an upgrade but downgrade
Patrickhondus said: Absolute garbage Windows 8 Skype must be avoided at all costs until they get it right
Jon Towers said: Skype for Windows 8 is RUBBISH Plain and simple Forcing you to link it with your Window account who the hell made that decision What if I want to sign in with different Skype accounts I use 3 accounts for different reasons I need a separate Windows account for each of them Its just nutsOnce I had linked it up its then imports all the pictures of all your contacts from MSNhotmail etc but blows the profile pictures up bigger so they just look really JPEGed and horrible This takes away from what is supposed to be a lovelyfluid interface in Windows 8 When working on a laptop the interface is annoying also I can appreciate having the bigger tiles for touch might be important but using a mouse and keyboard justit feels really clunky especially with the side scolling Should there be 2 types of display perhaps deskop and touchTrying to work out how to conference calling is a mission alsoIts just worse than average For all this new Windows 8 suppose to take users to the next level in terms of touch UI and UX this app takes users massively backwards especially if you are using Windows 8 on a desktoplaptop Skype has gone from being a great web product to a really mess and Im sure Iit will annoy lots of current Skype users like me who have upgraded to Windows 8 I am now running my old version of Skype from Windows 7
Spanglish89 said: i agree
KVP said: worst thing ever took me 20min to find how to group chat and its not even easy and its so hard to manage conversation used it for 1 day raged and switched back to old skype
Brent Leslie said: Try using the keypad during a call It completely doesnt work meaning you cant navigate automated call centres Ball dropped I have come to expect this level of quality from skype
Yaya173664 said: Thank youIt doesnt let you log out and user a different login name Its so frustrating and annoying I am not going to make multiple os accounts for eveytime a friend or someone else wants to use my laptop and use Skype Thats the most annoying thing about windows 8 Skype thus far
WP7Mango said: Skype Metro version doesnt have Snap view yet Hopefully it will do soon because then you CAN multi-task with it side by side with another appIf you try IM youll see that you can snap it and multi-task in Metro So you can use IM to Skype whilst doing something else without having to use the desktop at all