This is pretty confusing because the built-in Store version of Skype and the modern desktop version are almost the same thing, but the desktop version of Skype offers more features. That version of Skype works like the traditional Skype client you’re used to. The traditional Skype desktop application does have a “Quit Skype” option available when you right-click its notification area icon.

If you have multiple Skype applications installed and you just want to remove the built-in Windows 10 version, look for the Skype shortcut marked as a “Trusted Microsoft Store app” and remove it. Managing Skype on Windows 8 / 10 Close, be Invisible, Turn off Notification Worldwide Skype to Skype communication, which includes video and audio calls. Locate the Skype shortcut in your Start menu, right-click it, and select “Uninstall.” Windows 10 lets you uninstall many other built-in apps in this way, too. If you don’t want to use Skype at all, you can also uninstall it. Click the “…” menu in the Skype window and click “Sign Out” to do so. Note that people can still send you Skype messages if you’re signed in, even if Skype doesn’t appear in the notification area. Skype’s notification area icon will vanish. Right-click the Skype icon in your notification area and click “Settings” or open the Skype window, click the “…” menu button, and click “Settings.”Ĭlick the “General” category and disable the “Show Skype in the Windows notification area (system tray)” option. However, you can hide the icon from Skype’s settings window. Microsoft’s modern Skype app doesn’t even appear in your list of startup programs, so you can’t disable it by managing your startup programs from the Settings app or Task Manager.

With the older “Modern” Skype app, you can’t just right-click the Skype tray icon and close it like a traditional desktop app. If they don’t, follow the below instructions for the older version of Skype. Update: You likely have the newer Skype app installed on your PC by now, so the above instructions should work. How to Remove Skype From Your System Tray on Windows 10 Skype will continue running if it’s already open when you do this, but you can right-click the Skype icon in your taskbar’s notification area ( don’t call it a system tray!) and select “Quit Skype” to close it immediately. Look for “Skype” in the list, right-click it, and select “Disable.” Windows won’t open Skype automatically when you sign in anymore.

Skype notifications windows 10