Microsoft decided to “sunset” Skype for Business in order to further promote Microsoft Teams. Transitioning from Skype to Microsoft Teams You have plenty of time to make a change or explore alternatives, but on that date, it goes away forever. If you use Skype for Business, you can continue to use the tool until July 31, 2021. That means you can still use Skype if it’s your preferred means of chatting with friends and family. The consumer version of Skype will remain intact and supported by Microsoft. Let’s address and answer all of these important questions in order to prepare your business for life after Skype. You may also be considering alternatives to fill the gap and thinking about your timeline. If you’re a Skype for Business user, you may wonder why Microsoft made this change - and what that means for you. After that date, the service will no longer be accessible.

Despite all that success, for some it was shocking to hear in mid-2019 that Skype for Business will be retired on July 31, 2021. After Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011, the platform became a trusted video and chat tool for businesses of all sizes. Since its initial release in 2003, Skype has helped hundreds of millions of users stay connected every month.

Why is skype going away