Skype 4.2 for Windows update
I’m pleased to announce that today we have released an updated version of Skype 4.2 for Windows.
In this release, we’ve spent a lot of our time and attention fixing several issues with video calling that have been reported to us by our users.
We suggest that everyone upgrades to the newly released build or, if you’re in the mood for trying something completely fabulous and different, then read about our Skype 5.0 beta for Windows, which features group video calling for up to 10 people as well as a whole host of other wonderful enhancements.
The full release notes for the newly released 4.2.0.187 build are here:
Known issues:
| Category   | Description | Workaround |
| Video | Switching between USB camera and HP Virtual webcam locks the camera | Restart video call |
| Video | MJPG camera will run at 15fps when the device does not support a capture rate of 30fps | Fixed in Skype 5.0 Beta for Windows |
| Video | QuickCam Pro 9000 camera drivers are not up-to-date even though latest drivers have been installed | None available at this time |
| Video | The call receiver may not see HQ logo on their side during HQ call | None available at this time |
| Video | The receiver may not see HQ logo in the local preview while the receiver sees the logo on his side. | None available at this time |
| Video | Clicking on the webcamera settings may cause Skype to crash. | Use the driver application to change the settings of the webcam |
| Screen sharing | Sharing a region of the screen to a 3.8 Skype client may cause the receiver on the 3.8 client to see shared region improperly | The remote side should upgrade the Skype client |
| Browser plugins | Error message appears regarding a failed Skype browser plugin downgrade during Skype downgrade | Ignore the message or use 5.0 Beta2 where this issue is fixed. |
Fixed issues:
| Category   | Description |
| General | Some local status icons were displayed wrongly in Windows 7 |
| Video | Message regarding new connected USB device was also shown on subsequent device connections |
| Video | There were compatibility issues with Dell’s Face recognition software |
| Video | Skype sometimes crashed during video calls when avirtual webcam was being used and CPU was under severe load |
| Video | Video calls on low-end machines sometimes showed rendering artifacts. |
SKYPE 4.2 Worked just fine for me at either of my computers.
Eversince I upgraded to 5.0 I cannot sign in at any of both computers, regardless of their operative system (Vista & 7 respectively).
I cannot use Skype now that I installed 5.0 and I wish to go back to 4.2 but still unable to do so as well. – Skype support team has not been as helpful as I’d wish.
My skype doesn´t work either I also wish we had 4.2
My webcam used to work just fine on the earlier versions of skype but now with 5.0 there is video rendering / DirectX problems. New versions of programs are meant to work better not worse! Sort it out! Please provide download of previous versions so we can revert to these platforms whilst you get your act together.
i agree with all Version 5.0 problem comments..the update is causing only major communication problems… the previous stability of Skype does not exist…allow a reinstall of 4.2.0.187 until Skype has fixed these problems …
We installed skype and keep getting the error: “skype has stopped working. windows is looking for a solution to the problem.” can anyone help? we are on windows 7. is that the issue? thank you!@
I have the same problem as anthony above. Please provide fix or make earlier versions available for XP or A FIX FOR xp.
i, too. With 5.0 will not work the WebcamDV Why?
I have the same problem. My camera used to work just fine but now with 5.0 there is no way that I can make it work. Does anyone know how we can install 4.2? My notebook is new so I assume that I have tecnology. HELP….tks
Skype does not care about you or what you want. If you upgraded to version 5, and you don’t have a previous version saved on your computer, you are stuck with the new version. Skype dose not provide a download for previous versions because they want to FORCE you into the new version. They think you are too stupid to know what is good for you (Just like big brother governments).
If anyone finds a place to download version 4.2, post it here because a lot of people wish they had never upgraded to version 5.
The same thing has happened to me – I had a perfectly functioning skype, was prompted to upgrade, did so, and haven’t been able to log in since. Obviously this is a known issue, why can’t we just get our old version back? Where’s the solution?
When I had the 4.2 version, I could use it just fine and it hardly ever stuffed up. Since the upgrade to 5.0, I can’t even sign into Skype because of a program error that forces me to close it. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled it several times, but nothing seems to be working.
The support team’s advice is all well and good, but it only applise to people who are able to sign in. It’s really quite frustrating, seeing as it works fine in other countries such as the US and Canada. Please sort it out, or provide downloads of Skype 4.2 so I can get back to chatting with my friends and family overseas!
how can we downgrade to v.4.2?
How can we downgrade to version 4.2?
same here, series 5 does not work on my windows 7 laptop, but does work on old laptop with XP. It was automatic upgrade, which annoys me, as we should have the choice to update or not. Yahoo, and MSN still works fine. My wife has a Mac, we haven’t tried hers yet.