Why is Skype Still in Microsoft Store

Hi @Timothy Kaczocha,

Thank you for raising this concern. I completely understand how unexpected it can be to still see Skype appearing as an installation option on a new device, particularly after its announced retirement.

1/ What was actually retired (and what was not)

Skype (consumer) was retired as of May 5, 2025. Microsoft’s official guidance confirms that this change impacts both free and paid Skype users and recommends transitioning to Microsoft Teams Free. However, this retirement does not apply to Skype for Business.

Skype for Business is a separate enterprise‑focused client. It continues to be documented in Microsoft’s official support and product documentation for organizations that still rely on it in certain environments.

As a result, if the Microsoft Store or your device setup experience is offering Skype for Business, this is not the same as the retired consumer Skype service.

2/ Why it may still appear in Microsoft Store or during device setup

Even after a consumer service is retired, app listings and installation suggestions may continue to appear temporarily due to storefront updates and OEM setup flows that do not always align immediately with service retirement timelines. In other words, a retired service does not necessarily mean the associated app is instantly removed from every store listing or device provisioning experience.

3/ Why you might still see Skype on a new Samsung tablet

Some Microsoft applications may be preloaded or surfaced during the initial setup process on certain devices. What appears during setup can vary depending on the device model, region, carrier, or installation flow. In this case, the suggestion to install Skype is likely part of a setup recommendation or partner bundle, rather than an indication that the consumer Skype service is active again.

4/ How to identify which app is being offered

• If the app is listed as Skype (consumer), Microsoft’s guidance is to transition to Microsoft Teams Free, as Skype has been retired.
• If the app is listed as Skype for Business, it may still appear because some organizations rely on it to join legacy Skype for Business meetings or support hybrid/on‑premises environments.

If your organization does not require it, you can simply skip installing the app. If it has already been installed, it can be removed like any other application through your device’s app management settings.

From Microsoft’s published guidance, the retirement applies to the Skype consumer service and the transition to Teams Free, but it does not necessarily guarantee the immediate removal of all related app listings across every storefront or OEM setup experience.

Reference: Skype is retiring in May 2025: What you need to know - Microsoft Support.

I hope this information helps clarify the situation. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

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