It’s no secret that Skype fumbled its stronghold on videoconferencing software– the platform was synonymous with video calls before the pandemic-era Zoom boom. Loyal users of the passed-over program have noticed that it has become a platform for invasive advertisements, as Microsoft, who bought the company in 2011, has utilized it mostly for ad space and focused its efforts more on its Teams platform. That situation is changing, though, as the company has announced Skype is going ad-free in an update (8.125 ) that looks to catch the program up to its modern-day peers.
“We’re excited to announce that Skype is now ad-free!,” writes Product Manager Irene Namuganyi in a recent blog post. “Our latest update removes all ads from Skype channels and the entire Skype platform, ensuring a smoother, decluttered, and more enjoyable user experience.”
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In addition to removing ads, other updates include improvements to AI image generation and the UI, as well as strengthening the program’s stability. Microsoft says it has listened to user feedback to create a “more streamlined and pleasant environment across all platforms.”
The company notes the update’s features will be rolling out gradually over the course of a few days, and that users can download the newest Skype Insider build to take advantage of features in early access.
