Completely Uninstall Skype: A Step-by-Step Guide for All Devices
Skype, once a ubiquitous communication tool, might now be cluttering your system if you’ve switched to alternatives or simply want to reclaim storage space. Uninstalling Skype seems straightforward, but often leaves behind residual files and settings that can cause issues down the line. This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions on how to completely uninstall Skype from your Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices, ensuring a clean and thorough removal.
Why Completely Uninstall Skype?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why a complete uninstall is crucial:
* **Reclaim Disk Space:** Skype, along with its associated files, can consume a significant amount of disk space, especially if you’ve been using it for a while with extensive chat histories and media files. Removing these files frees up valuable storage.
* **Prevent Conflicts:** Residual Skype files can sometimes interfere with other applications, leading to unexpected errors or performance issues. A clean uninstall eliminates these potential conflicts.
* **Security and Privacy:** Removing Skype completely ensures that no personal data remains on your system, enhancing your security and privacy.
* **Resolve Installation Issues:** If you’re planning to reinstall Skype, a complete uninstall first can resolve potential conflicts or errors that might arise during the reinstallation process.
Uninstalling Skype on Windows
Windows offers several methods to uninstall Skype. We’ll cover the most common and effective approaches, including the built-in settings app and the control panel. We’ll also address the removal of lingering files.
Method 1: Uninstalling Skype via the Settings App
The Settings app provides a user-friendly interface for managing installed applications.
1. **Close Skype:** Ensure that Skype is completely closed before proceeding. Check the system tray (the area near the clock) for the Skype icon. If it’s running, right-click on the icon and select “Quit” or “Exit”. You can also use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to force close Skype if necessary.
2. **Open the Settings App:** Click the Windows Start button and then click the gear icon to open the Settings app. Alternatively, press Windows key + I to open Settings directly.
3. **Navigate to Apps:** In the Settings app, click on “Apps”. This will open the “Apps & features” section, which lists all installed applications.
4. **Find Skype:** Scroll through the list of installed applications or use the search bar to find “Skype”.
5. **Uninstall Skype:** Click on “Skype” in the list. You should see an “Uninstall” button appear. Click on the “Uninstall” button.
6. **Confirm Uninstall:** A confirmation prompt will appear. Click “Uninstall” again to confirm your decision.
7. **Wait for the Uninstall Process:** The uninstall process will begin. Allow it to complete without interruption. A progress bar might be displayed.
Method 2: Uninstalling Skype via the Control Panel
The Control Panel offers another method for uninstalling applications in Windows.
1. **Close Skype:** As with the previous method, ensure that Skype is completely closed before proceeding. Check the system tray and Task Manager if needed.
2. **Open the Control Panel:** Click the Windows Start button and type “Control Panel” in the search bar. Click on the “Control Panel” icon to open it.
3. **Select Programs and Features:** In the Control Panel, under the “Programs” section, click on “Uninstall a program”. If you are viewing the Control Panel in “Category” view, click “Programs” then “Programs and Features.”
4. **Find Skype:** Scroll through the list of installed programs or use the search bar to find “Skype”.
5. **Uninstall Skype:** Right-click on “Skype” in the list and select “Uninstall” from the context menu.
6. **Confirm Uninstall:** A confirmation prompt will appear. Click “Yes” or “Uninstall” to confirm your decision.
7. **Wait for the Uninstall Process:** The uninstall process will begin. Allow it to complete without interruption. A progress bar might be displayed.
Removing Residual Skype Files on Windows
Even after uninstalling Skype using the methods above, some residual files and folders might remain. These files can consume disk space and potentially cause conflicts. Here’s how to remove them:
1. **Show Hidden Files and Folders:** By default, Windows hides certain system files and folders. You need to enable the display of hidden files and folders to find the residual Skype files.
* **Open File Explorer:** Click the Windows Start button and type “File Explorer” in the search bar. Click on the “File Explorer” icon to open it.
* **Go to View Tab:** In File Explorer, click on the “View” tab in the ribbon.
* **Enable Hidden Items:** In the “Show/hide” section, check the box next to “Hidden items”.
2. **Navigate to Skype Folders:** Navigate to the following locations and delete any Skype-related folders you find:
* `C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype` (if it exists)
* `C:\Program Files\Skype` (if it exists)
* `C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Skype` (Replace “YourUsername” with your actual Windows username.)
* `C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Skype` (Replace “YourUsername” with your actual Windows username.)
* `C:\ProgramData\Skype` (This folder might be hidden even with hidden items enabled. You may need to manually type the path in the File Explorer address bar.)
3. **Delete Skype Registry Entries (Advanced):** **Caution: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause serious problems. Back up your registry before proceeding.**
* **Open Registry Editor:** Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type “regedit” and press Enter. Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control.
* **Navigate to Skype Registry Keys:** Navigate to the following registry keys and delete any Skype-related entries or the entire keys if they only contain Skype information:
* `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Skype`
* `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Skype`
* `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Skype` (if it exists on a 64-bit system)
* **Restart Your Computer:** After deleting the registry entries, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Uninstalling Skype on macOS
Uninstalling Skype on macOS is generally simpler than on Windows, but it’s still important to remove all associated files for a complete uninstall.
Method 1: Moving Skype to the Trash
This is the most basic method for uninstalling applications on macOS.
1. **Quit Skype:** Ensure that Skype is completely closed. Check the menu bar for the Skype icon. If it’s running, right-click on the icon and select “Quit Skype”. Also, check the Dock for an active Skype icon and quit from there if necessary. Force Quit via Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor) if Skype is unresponsive.
2. **Open Finder:** Click on the Finder icon in the Dock.
3. **Navigate to Applications:** In the Finder window, click on “Applications” in the sidebar.
4. **Find Skype:** Scroll through the list of applications or use the search bar to find “Skype”.
5. **Move Skype to Trash:** Drag the “Skype” icon to the Trash icon in the Dock. Alternatively, right-click on the “Skype” icon and select “Move to Trash”.
6. **Empty the Trash:** Right-click on the Trash icon in the Dock and select “Empty Trash”. A warning message will appear. Click “Empty Trash” to confirm.
Removing Residual Skype Files on macOS
After moving Skype to the Trash, some residual files might remain in the Library folder. Here’s how to remove them:
1. **Open Finder:** Click on the Finder icon in the Dock.
2. **Go to Folder:** In the Finder menu bar, click on “Go” and then select “Go to Folder…” (or press Command + Shift + G).
3. **Enter Library Path:** In the “Go to the folder:” field, type `~/Library` and press Enter.
4. **Navigate to Skype Folders:** Navigate to the following locations and delete any Skype-related folders you find:
* `~/Library/Application Support/Skype`
* `~/Library/Caches/com.skype.skype`
* `~/Library/Preferences/com.skype.skype.plist`
* `~/Library/Logs/Skype`
* `~/Library/Saved Application State/com.skype.skype.savedState`
* `~/Library/Containers/com.skype.skype` (if present)
5. **Empty the Trash:** After deleting the folders, empty the Trash to permanently remove the files.
Uninstalling Skype on Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.)
The process for uninstalling Skype on Linux varies slightly depending on the distribution you’re using. However, the general principles remain the same.
Method 1: Using the Package Manager (APT, DNF, YUM)
This is the most common method for uninstalling applications on Linux.
1. **Open a Terminal:** Open a terminal window. You can usually find the terminal in the Applications menu under “Utilities” or “System Tools”.
2. **Determine Package Name:** You need to know the exact package name of Skype to uninstall it. If you’re unsure, you can use the following commands to list installed packages:
* **Debian/Ubuntu (APT):** `dpkg -l | grep skype`
* **Fedora (DNF):** `dnf list installed | grep skype`
* **CentOS/RHEL (YUM):** `yum list installed | grep skype`
The output will show the package name, which is usually `skypeforlinux` or similar.
3. **Uninstall Skype:** Use the appropriate command to uninstall Skype, replacing `skypeforlinux` with the actual package name if different:
* **Debian/Ubuntu (APT):** `sudo apt remove skypeforlinux`
* **Fedora (DNF):** `sudo dnf remove skypeforlinux`
* **CentOS/RHEL (YUM):** `sudo yum remove skypeforlinux`
4. **Confirm Uninstall:** You might be prompted to confirm the uninstall. Type `y` or `yes` and press Enter.
5. **Autoremove Dependencies (Optional):** After uninstalling Skype, you can remove any unused dependencies with the following command:
* **Debian/Ubuntu (APT):** `sudo apt autoremove`
Method 2: Using Snap (If installed via Snap)
If you installed Skype using Snap, you’ll need to use the `snap` command to uninstall it.
1. **Open a Terminal:** Open a terminal window.
2. **Uninstall Skype:** Use the following command to uninstall Skype:
`sudo snap remove skype`
3. **Confirm Uninstall:** You might be prompted to confirm the uninstall. Type `y` or `yes` and press Enter.
Removing Residual Skype Files on Linux
After uninstalling Skype, some residual files might remain in your home directory. Here’s how to remove them:
1. **Open a Terminal:** Open a terminal window.
2. **Navigate to Skype Folders:** Navigate to the following locations and delete any Skype-related folders you find:
* `~/.Skype` (This folder might be hidden. You can show hidden files in your file manager by pressing Ctrl+H or by selecting “Show Hidden Files” from the View menu.)
* `~/.config/skypeforlinux` (or similar, depending on the Skype version)
* `~/.cache/skypeforlinux` (or similar, depending on the Skype version)
3. **Remove Folders:** Use the `rm` command to remove the folders. For example:
`rm -rf ~/.Skype`
`rm -rf ~/.config/skypeforlinux`
`rm -rf ~/.cache/skypeforlinux`
**Caution: Be very careful when using the `rm -rf` command. It permanently deletes files and folders without asking for confirmation.**
Uninstalling Skype on Android
Uninstalling Skype on Android is a straightforward process.
1. **Close Skype:** Ensure that Skype is completely closed. You can force close it from the App Settings.
2. **Open Settings:** Open the “Settings” app on your Android device.
3. **Navigate to Apps:** Tap on “Apps” or “Applications” (the exact wording might vary depending on your device).
4. **Find Skype:** Scroll through the list of installed apps or use the search bar to find “Skype”.
5. **Uninstall Skype:** Tap on “Skype” in the list. You should see an “Uninstall” button. Tap on the “Uninstall” button.
6. **Confirm Uninstall:** A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap “OK” to confirm your decision.
Clearing Cache and Data (Optional)
Before uninstalling, you can optionally clear the cache and data for Skype to remove any stored information.
1. **Open Settings:** Open the “Settings” app on your Android device.
2. **Navigate to Apps:** Tap on “Apps” or “Applications”.
3. **Find Skype:** Scroll through the list of installed apps or use the search bar to find “Skype”.
4. **Tap on Storage:** Tap on “Skype” in the list, then tap on “Storage”.
5. **Clear Cache:** Tap on “Clear Cache”.
6. **Clear Data:** Tap on “Clear Data”. A warning message will appear. Tap “OK” to confirm.
Uninstalling Skype on iOS (iPhone, iPad)
Uninstalling Skype on iOS is also a simple process.
1. **Close Skype:** Ensure that Skype is completely closed. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the Home button on older devices) to open the App Switcher. Swipe up on the Skype app preview to close it.
2. **Locate the Skype App Icon:** Find the Skype app icon on your Home Screen.
3. **Long Press the App Icon:** Tap and hold the Skype app icon until it starts to jiggle or a menu appears.
4. **Tap the Delete Button:** Tap the “X” or “-” button that appears on the Skype app icon. On newer iOS versions, select “Remove App” from the menu.
5. **Confirm Uninstall:** A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap “Delete App” or “Delete” to confirm your decision.
Troubleshooting Uninstall Issues
Sometimes, you might encounter issues while uninstalling Skype. Here are some common problems and solutions:
* **Skype is Still Running:** Ensure that Skype is completely closed before attempting to uninstall it. Check the system tray (Windows), menu bar (macOS), or the App Switcher (Android/iOS). Force close Skype using Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) if necessary.
* **Insufficient Permissions:** On Windows, you might need administrator privileges to uninstall Skype. Try running the uninstaller as an administrator by right-clicking on the Skype executable and selecting “Run as administrator”.
* **Corrupted Installation:** If the Skype installation is corrupted, the uninstaller might fail. Try reinstalling Skype and then uninstalling it again. You can download the latest version of Skype from the official Skype website.
* **Third-Party Uninstaller Tools:** If you’re still having trouble uninstalling Skype, you can try using a third-party uninstaller tool. These tools often perform a more thorough uninstall than the built-in uninstallers.
Conclusion
Completely uninstalling Skype is essential for reclaiming disk space, preventing conflicts, and ensuring your privacy. By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively remove Skype from your Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. Remember to remove residual files and folders after uninstalling to ensure a clean and thorough removal. If you encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting section for common problems and solutions.