Why we removed SkypeMe! from Skype 4.0 for Windows
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you may be familiar with one of our themes for this year – focus. So why have we removed SkypeMe!?
In short, we wanted to simplify the number of status options we offer – you may have noticed that we also removed Not Available. Over the course of the 4.0 project, our research showed that users found SkypeMe! confusing. People weren’t always clear what SkypeMe! meant – that they were opening themselves up to be contacted by literally anyone.
I know that some of you come to Skype with the specific aim of finding new contacts and making new friends. We’re investigating ways of making this work without detracting from the simplicity and focus of Skype 4.0 for Windows – so please bear with us. For now, why not head over to the Coffee Corner in the Skype Community, where you can meet new people from around the world.
It was thanks to Skype’s “Skype Me” mode that I met a girl who I eventually married late last year!! I think removing the option is one of the worst decisions ever made. I’ll still be on 3.6 thanks…….
Disclaimer ::
This is a simple, walk through to down grade to a previous version of skype, I can not be held responisble for the loss of any data you may incur by following these directions, and these directions should only be used as a guide line to how to down grade to a previuos version of Skype.
That being typed….
For anyone wanting to go BACK to the skype me mode usability, Here is a short simple tutorial.
1. Quit Skype, right click and ‘QUIT’ not to be confused with close.
2. Download Skype 3.8 http://www.oldversion.com/download_Skype_3.8.0.188.html
-OR- http://www.oldversion.com/Skype.html to find a version you really liked.
3. Uninstall current Skype, using the Control Panel in Windows. (DO NOT DELETE YOUR HISTORY)
4. Once the download of the previous version is completely downloaded, Install this version.
5. You should not have to set anything up, AND it should automatically log you in. So go and enjoy the Skype-Me mode!
Bring it back! I want to use skype me but can’t use the older versions on windows 7 due to the app crashing.
Stop whining. I used to skype me often but i’m glad that function was removed. Too tempting lol. However, if I were still pressed for the skype me function, I would have downgraded. Besides, aren’t there add-on applications to re-administer this function? Let it go already!
Please make it came back!! I want it back!!!!
why would u want to be skype by RANDOM people!?!? all of them are PSYCHOS!!!!
there are creepers to…
why would u want to be skype by RANDOM people!?!? all of them are PSYCHOS!!!!
there are creepers to…
Skype has punish nearly all it user for the acts of small percentage of its users. This remind of back when I was in the military and my command officer would punish the whole command just because a few mess up. I did NOT like then nor do I like it now.
Being a Macintosh user the removal of Skype Me has directly and indirectly effected my Skype experience. Before I used to enjoy every time I log into Skype because of the possible that I will get to me someone new from all corners of the Earth. Skype has become dull without Skype Me and it feels that I am using Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, and MSN again. Skype got my attention because of multiple platforms it was available, but Skype Me is one of the primary reason I continue using it.
I also did not like when the moved Not Available. To myself and my Skype friend Away and Not Available means different things. Coffee Corner is quite boring compare to Skype Me. It actually takes more work to find someone to chat the before. Have you notice on your Facebook page that thousands of people posting their Skype name because they are looking for someone to chat with. Personally I do not understand why I should have to go Coffee Corner or Skype’s Facebook page just to looking for someone to chat with when the program used to do this for you.
I would like to see Skype Me and Not Available to be return back to Skype. I terrible decision to remove them. I rather have the options then have options take away from me.
Are we in a world where we have to protect the stupid and therefore penalize the rest of the world by wrapping everything up in cotton wool rather than educate?
If you don’t want to be in SkypeMe! mode then don’t select it. It’s that simple.
I’m glad for the SkypeMe! mode because I wanted to explore the world and meet new people. If the 3.x versions become unusable I’ll just get everyone I know to install QQ instead as that’s expanding and becoming international now.
I agree. I really want SkypeMe and Skypecasts to be re-introduced again. I think that’s what me gravitate to Skype.
If you could do something to prevent people accidentally selecting SkypeMe, like a password (I already thought that there was a pop-up telling you what it was, beforehand anyway) that would make me happy.
Just consider it Thanks.
OMG,I also thought that there’s something wrong with my installation,Ooops,that was a really bad Idea to remove it!!!
Without SkypeMe mode i feel like behind iron curtain.
I’ll try version 4 and then downgrade to SkypeMe version.
I guess skype me mode is very usefull!!!!!!!!!!! English is not my 1st language (im russian) and i have a cool opportunity to practise the language while being on skype me mode! Also it is a great chance to find new friends and meet really interesting people!!! and those who think that skype me mode is confusing or annoying or….. We always have a free choice to use it or not! so get back skype me mode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh very logical reasons… I am sure it has an economical reason more than the so called stupidness of skype users!! If they were confused about its function why didnt you bother to explain it to the forums for the users for paying more attention also to not regular ones! Thats rediculous, WE WANT OUS SkypeMe MOOS BACK!!!!
The point i downloaded Skype was for Skypecasts and SkypeMe. I loved it! Then first you remove Skypecasts then you remove SkypeMe… What left is for you to do to mess it up even up more?!… You people are idiots! You have degraded your own product from super cool to cool to utter garbage!
one of the reasons I love using skype is the skype me. Since it’s gone, skype is no more fun… Please BRING IT BACK!
There are a few features missing besides SKYPE ME mode.Like for example..On my contact list,I can longer see a cam icon beside any contacts who may have one.Another feature missing,If someone has blocked me(sometimes its helpful to know)it does not indicate it with that the old familiar “question mark” status.Also,,when searching now,,profile info is missing,,especially those “webcam links”…
Its obvious that the onslaught of webcam sex in the last 2 years has brought this on,,after all,the new “no SKYPE ME” policy has castrated the oh-so-important searching process.(great analogy!)
I don´t mind admitting that I have indulged in some “less-than-walt-disney-level” antics on Skype,,,(afterall I am single)frankly it was fun a lot safer than cruising bars!Should I lose a privilage because overly protective parents fear their children will see genitals!!?
There are plenty of other chat servers without a feature like skype mode or even a contact search.My kids use MSN,,YAHOO..GMAIL..Skype is not missed by them.
On the other hand,I have noticed that Skype has become a cesspool of webcam solicitors.2 years ago,one could search in Skype mode and find suitable chat mates for what ever purpose,,now searching for female chat mates in Skype mode is an adventure into futility!!99 out 100 “contacts on line”are ficticous profiles with links to”free” webcam sites.Of course it doesn´t help that there is a breed of males who simply cannot control their libidos hence, due to their outrageous behavior,women have obviously complained that instead of “nice man who could be future husband” knocking on their cyber door,they are approached by and adding(before checking profiles)idiotic men who video call them without warning,open their cams and appear graphically indecent!
To summarize,,I think the video is better in vers 4.0.I like how you can chat easily while viewing.
Although suddenly in the last 2 months,my old skype 3.8 stopped receiving images from many countries,(including the USA) whereas using the new skype 4 allows me to view and be viewed easily…is this a marketing trick?
Bring back Skype mode and make searching easy again,,now I don´t know who I am chatting to!!I install 3,8 to search,,add who I want,then update to 4 to maintain a video call,than back to 3.8 to search if necessary!I think I will just dump Skype altogether if you do not improve the update.
law245
Please get back skype me mode.
Please get back skype me mode.
Ok I guess I am one of those thousand who are begging you people to understand that SKYPE ME is need back!!! Please reconsider your thoughts about it!! I believe as the many rest from all here that Skype me feature made the skype so unique!!
Anyways please reconsider again and integrate skype me back
I can’t believe they’ve removed the SkypeMe mode. It was what (in my mind!) set skype apart from all the other IM progs! As stated why should everyone suffer because people dont know how to use skype? Instead they should have just made it more difficult to turn it on without knowing exactly what it is!!!
Surely that is the answer to this!!
Please bring back skype me mode!!!!!
SKYPE ME PEOPLE!! It is really sad that you removed skype me option please can we have it back as soon as possible if people get confuse with it they simply live in confused world and they are just minority silly who don’t know how to use computers.
I just downloaded the new skype today. I was trying to find ‘skypeme’ mode, but resulted in no avail. I am not a free user of skype as I always have credits available and have purchased a phone line in the past through skype.
I can understand why a father would not want skypeme for his children (daughters). However, if you don’t want them to be bombarded you can select that only people in their contacts can contact them. Also if someone unpleasant contacts them, then show them how to decline and block.
I have met alot of people through skypeme, women I might add who have ADDED me, and me not searching for them. I have also met professors who have contacted me due to my profession to ask me questions, and various other people from around the world.
I am a frequent traveler, so I find skypeme as a valuable asset in making contacts around the world, as I travel often.
Just like any website you cannot blame the website for users misinterpretation or their lack of understanding. The onus is on the user. I would love to see skype me return. This will not keep me away from Skype, as I do regularly use it for phoning home (I am in afghanistan at the moment), I do however find it a valuable feature and would like for it to return.
Thank you
Please bring back SkypeME
I want that button back now, without that it’s no reason to log on at all
anyone know how I can get an old version with that button?
That’s a pity, I met nice ppl by skypeme mode, I mean, I found someone special… (love)
We want SkypeMe BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please?????
Pleeease Bring Skype me back !!! And Skype Casts !!!!! unique features deserve perfection so why remove them??!
I agree with ztonedef!!
PLEASE???
You posted this in March 2009, I think you had time enough to fix whatever the problems were.
PLEAAAAAAAAASE???????????????????????????
hi! peter pleas do something so that i can find the online skype users to make good friends ,
please do it before 1st july, if you can.
Removing the Skype me option was ridiculous. I am a new user and have been trying to find new contacts. After hours searching google and posting on the skype forums to little avail, i read about a great option…no a BEAUTIFUL option called Skype ME. Finally i thought, something that people can use to find me faster, easier, and more efficiently. The community has spoken, they don’t like the change so bring it back. the reasons for removing it were umm yea. Haven’t the users on here been saying that after choosing the Skype me option a separate window comes up explaining exactly what it is…how then can the statement of “users found SkypeMe! confusing” be justified. I’m just a frustrated new user to skype that has been jumping through hoops to try and find new friends only to find out that there WAS an easier way…
Skype ID: jstepmobile
Email: Jstepmobile@gmail.com
Bring back the SkypeMe! mode. It has ruined the whole function of connecting with new people and finding contacts and collaborations. Read through the posts and it becomes obvious that is was not a good move to remove this feature. Please hear the voice of your Users and ENABLE THE SKYPEME! MODE
SkypeMe is a perfect way to open up the world to people to meet and greet. The reason Skype became popular was do to this functionality. I will probably limit my use of skype for this reason. Of course I have a number of friendships I have developed through SkypeMe but that group of friends can no longer grow unless I skype indiscriminately which I not interested in doing. What skype should do is make everyone in skypeme mode have to enter recognition characters every 20 minutes to stay active. This would eliminate all the porn advertising which is about all you get in a skypeme search. It would be appreciated if you would bring this back with some level of control. If you don’t I am sure you will have a competitor soon if they are smart.
Please bring back SkypeMe! The current search function is also badly broken, it’s not possible to search for people based on their online/offline status which makes finding people on Skype next to impossible. Accounts that haven’t been used for months or years show up right beside people who are currently online. Very frustrating.
I guess I’ll start looking around for a better IM client for meeting people.
SykpeMe still persists on macs and is a pain. Even if you have all your security/privacy settings set to restrict incoming calls to people in your contact list, this mode is NOT DISABLED and, it overrides your settings. If you’ve chosen to restrict access, then SypeMe should vanish or be disabled. Wish I could get rid of it on my mac.
I like skypeme mood, alwayes did so please put it back
Skpe me mode was the only thing that really made skype stand out from the other messengers. I use to have a lot of fun in skype using the skype me mode but now that most people have upgraded to a newer version, its not so much fun. I really hate the fact that skype thought they were doing a good thing by removing it from the new versions. But really all they did was piss off most of their users that were using skype me by pulling the rug out from under us. Skype me mode was a great mixer for single people from all over the world looking for someone to spend time with.
Skype programers if you are reading this, put the skype me mode back in the next version please. Skype use to be really popular with the skype me option but now skype is not even close to being as good as Yahoo for a messenger. If I had to chose between the modern Skype or Yahoo…. I pick Yahoo for the simple fact they are the best messenger on then net in my opinion behind MSN.
Without the Skype me mode, Skype flat out sucks.
oh I want my money back!
Please but skype me back in. It what made skype so much fun in the first place now it’s ruined.
Oh Peter Parkes, com’on… let’s just be sincere.
SkypeMe! more wich was “trademarked”, meaning it costed you, was removed because it was an easy way to date… and for free.
Either you just don’t want to interfere with the “dating-business”, or you plan to dip into it too.
So… no more need for Skype for me, as it was the only plus over YM.
Bye.
PLEASEEEE put skypeme mode back on!
I used to call people from Japan and practice my Japanese… It was so much better with skypeme mode. People just shouldn’t put their status to skypeme if they dont want to be called randomly! It’s not that hard! Please release a new skype soon with skypeme mode!
I’ve abandoned Skype since Skypeme mode was taken out… I’t's likely that I’m not the only one.
Hi Peter,
I come from a product engineering background ; and AFAIK some feature are for the users to take care of . SkypeMe is one of those features which should be for the user to decide and not skype. If Skype removed the feature because of privacy concern, ( I respect privacy ) let me remind you that , it is the user who has set the mode to SkypeMe. For those out there , who are thinking that some indecent messages may come because of mode, please note that there is a Trojan virus for Skype.. which is much more harmful.
So Peter , think again on the product roadmap, before removing a feature.
Please revise latest Skype software to include SkypeMe! This was the main reason for me using Skype. It was a great way to meet new people and practice new language skills. After you took it out, I’ve stopped using Skype. If it is too confusing, allow the user to add/remove this feature himself? What good reason was there to remove something that caused no harm???? Even if you don’t use the feature, what made you think other’s did not?
Hi,
I think Skypeme was the BEST tool of skype. There are other application to contact somebody free but to be in contact with open-minded people (often skypeme people) has been the worst thing Skype leader done.
I have used Skype and not Messenger because I found in Skypeme a tool to meet other people. I met people around the world and I have done very good friends.
I improved my english (evenif that is not perfect) and I learnt about other people, other culture, etc.
Now with my W7 I cannot meet other people, that was very interesting to exchange….
By the way the argumentation of Skype leader has for my opinion no sense.
If you use Skype you can add anybody who has got Skype. You can send a message at anybody too. The option Skypeme helpt to know who wanted to be in contact with other.
That was right somes people were strange, but I needed 30 secondes to block this person and that all.
Please, reconsider your position and that should be great that one day somebody of Skype team reply to this topic. It is opened for weeks and anybody take 2 minutes to reply. For my opinion that means Skype does not care at the message posted and does not change of point of view.
I agree. I was unaware that the perverted messages and calls I was getting were a result of my Skype Me! status. I think Skype should have a warning similar to that of the Do Not Disturb feature informing users of the consequences of this status.
I think Skype Me was the best part of Skype I made a lot of friends through it and also I made a lot of friends through the Find option where you could type a persons country or screen name and get a list, right now I am having a confusing time trying to find anyone on skype that is not my friend, I want to be on skype so I can meet new people and also talk to the ones i already know please allow it to be possible for this to happen again.