Getting Started with

This guide will walk you through downloading and installing Skype for desktop, launching Skype, setting up a Skype account, testing your and speakers, and placing and ending calls.

Download and install Skype

1. Open your of choice (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.)

2. Navigate to the Skype website, either by typing “skype.com” into the address bar, or by clicking here

Windows 8 or 10 and below

3. Click the “Get Skype” button on the 3. Click the “Download Skype” button Skype homepage on the Skype homepage 4. If a dialog box appears in your 4. Click the setup file in the browser asking if you want to “Downloads” section of your “Open Store?” Click browser to open it “Open ”

5. Microsoft Store will open to the 5. A “Security Warning” window will Skype store page. Click the “Get” appear. Click “Run” button

6. Once the download and installation 6. The “Setup” window will appear. are complete, click the “Launch” Click “Install” button

Set up a Skype account

Windows 8 or 10

1. Launch Skype, either by clicking “Launch” in Microsoft Store, or by typing “Skype” into the Quick Search Bar and clicking “Skype” under “Best Match”

2. You should be signed in automatically. Your (set up when you set up Windows 8 or 10) doubles as your Skype account. If you are not signed in automatically, use your Microsoft account email and password to sign in (same as your Windows Store, Outlook, , OneDrive, Bing, and Live accounts)

Windows 7 and below

1. Launch Skype by clicking Start > All Programs > Skype

2. Click “Create Account”

3. Select your country from the drop down, then enter your cell phone number, or click “Use your email instead” and enter your email address. Then click “Next” 4. If you chose to use number in step 3, a code will be sent to your phone via text message. Enter the code and click “next”

5. Choose either the light or dark theme. This will affect the appearance of Skype and can be changed at any time. Click either “Light” or “Dark,” then click the arrow button in the bottom right corner to proceed 6. Upload a profile picture. Click “Upload Photo,” then select the photo you would like others to see next to your name in their contact lists, then click “Open.” You can also drag and drop a picture from another open window into the circle. Once you are finished, or to skip this step, click the arrow button in the bottom right corner.

7. Check your speakers and microphone. Make sure that the correct microphone and speakers are selected by clicking the drop down menus. Adjust the speaker volume with the slider to ensure it is not too loud. Click the arrow button in the bottom right to proceed 8. If you are using a , ensure it is connected. The video output should appear on this screen. If your camera is properly connected and you still receive this message, visit Skype support for troubleshooting. Click the “Next” arrow and Skype will be set up and ready for use!

Testing speakers and microphone

1. Type “echo123” into the search bar in the top left of the screen. Click the contact named “Echo / Sound Test Service”

2. Ensure your speakers and microphone are correctly connected, and click the blue call button in the upper right corner of the screen

3. Listen to the instructions provided by Echo to record and playback a brief message to ensure your microphone and speakers are working correctly. If you cannot hear Echo, or if your message is not recorded, visit Skype help for troubleshooting. When you are finished, press the red phone button to hang up Placing a video call

1. Type the Skype name of the person you want to call into the search bar in the top left corner of the screen and select their contact card from the results

2. Click the video call button in the top right corner of the screen. If the button is greyed out, check Skype help

3. You are now in a Skype call, good job! You can click the camera icon to turn your webcam off and on, click the microphone icon to toggle your microphone off and on, and click the “...” for more options. When you are ready to hang up, click the red phone icon