What is Skype & how to use Skype on PC
Skype is one of the best free online communication services out there. Here’s how to get began and get talking in minutes.
Skype is a free to download Internet-based communication service, and using Skype just got even lighter. Here we explain what is Skype and break down how to use Skype and how to download it on to your computer.
How to use Skype: Get began in seconds
Below we outline how to download Skype to your PC, sign up for a Skype account and get began adding contacts and making calls. But Skype just made life so much lighter for beginners, and if you don’t want to you don’t even need to sign up for a Skype account. To get embarked using Skype in seconds simply:
• Tap Embark a Conversation
• Come in your name
• Tap the Commence a Conversation button
• Copy the URL and share it with a friend to begin talking over Skype. The link is valid for twenty four hours
How to use Skype: Check your computer can run Skype
The very first thing you’ll need to do in order to embark using Skype to make calls is to download the programme onto your computer. Here are the requirements Skype suggests you need to get the most out of its service:
- PC running Windows® XP with SP3, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 or ten both 32- and 64-bit operating systems. Get more info
- Internet connection – broadband is best (GPRS is not supported for voice calls).
- Speakers and microphone – built-in or separate.
- For voice calls we recommend a broadband connection with one hundred kbps down / one hundred kbps up.
- For group movie calling everyone on the call needs Skype Five.0 for Windows or Mac or higher plus webcams. For best quality we recommend you use a high-speed broadband connection of 4Mbps down / 512kbps up and a computer with a Core two Duo 1.8 GHz processor. As a minimum you’ll need a high-speed broad connection of 512kbps down / 128kbps up and a computer with a one GHz processor.
Most modern Windows computers are more than adequate for using Skype, but refer to the specifications of your machine if needs be. Here’s our guide on how to view your computer’s specifications.
Let’s also hope at this point that you have broadband. This is a prompt Internet connection that permits you to make telephone calls whilst also using the Internet in your home. If you are still using a dial-up connection, you won’t be able to make calls using Skype. Here’s our broadband advice page.
How to use Skype: How to download Skype
You can lightly download Skype for Windows by clicking here. It’s safe to download as it’s hosted by PC Advisor.
Simply go after the instructions on the page to download Skype onto your computer.
Skype is also available to use if you own an Apple iMac or MacBook. Here’s where to download Skype for Mac.
How to use Skype: How to set up Skype
Once Skype has downloaded, you should be faced with the login screen
If you don’t already have a Skype account, you will need to create one. Simply click ‘create an account’ and go after the on-screen instructions.
Skype will check that you have adequate sound and movie options – as you’ll need speakers/headphones to hear others on calls, and a microphone either built in to your computer or an outward one connected in order for people to hear you.
Skype will automatically check that you are set up – if you’re not, it will prompt you on what you need. You can also add a profile picture at this stage.
After this, you’ll be taken to the Skype programme.
How to use Skype: How to call from Skype for free
The main function of Skype is making voice or movie calls to people. Very first you’ll need to add contacts to Skype. On the left of the Skype window, click next to the magnifying glass icon and type in the name of the person you’re looking for. You can also search by their email address or Skype name – best to ask the person for it very first, as it makes it lighter to find.
Once you’ve added the person you want to call, they’ll be stored in your Contacts folder. This is accessible at all times in the left forearm column of the Skype window.
Click on the person you want to call. Skype will indicate whether or not that person is Online with a green tick icon. Recall tho’, the person won’t actually emerge in your contacts list until they have accepted your invitation to connect. You can then click one of two blue icons in the top right corner of the screen:
The movie camera icon sets up a movie call, while the phone icon sets up a voice only call. Provided you and the recipient both have a webcam and microphone set up, you’ll be introduced with their face and yours once the call connects. Provided you have set up correctly, your Skype call is now in session!
You can also make group calls using Skype. You must have all the people you want to join the group talk as contacts on Skype very first. Then, click on ‘Fresh’ in the far left palm column. This screen will then pop up:
From here, you can select which of your contact will be in that particular talk group. You can have as many people as you like for an instant messaging talk, but the limit for movie calling is set at Ten. Even on a decent broadband connection, a comfy number of people in a movie talk is around five – don’t be astonished if any more than that causes issues, as making movie calls uses up a lot of bandwidth on your line.
Notice also here that Skype automatically creates a link that you can copy and paste to send to people you’d like to join your conversation. This is useful if those people do not have Skype, as it will invite them to install it and then join the correct group talk.
How to use Skype: How to make calls to phones, how to add Skype credit
Skype also permits you to make calls from your Skype account to phone numbers in many countries around the world. This isn’t part of its free service, and you must add credit to your account using a debit or credit card.
For the total list of countries you can call and from where, and a list of charges, here’s Skype’s own guide. It’ll help give you some idea of how much credit you should add you’re your account for making phone calls.
To make a call, you click on the Call icon on the left bar of the Skype window. You’re then introduced with a dial pad on screen – this dialler also shows how much Skype credit is on your account, and a link to see all calling rates. From here you can dial the number and place the call – this is only for audio as you’re calling a phone, so you can’t make a movie call with this option.
How to use Skype: Instant messaging
Another excellent feature of Skype is being able to send your contacts instant messages, much like you would send a text message. These instant messages are free, and are sent over an Internet connection – think of it sending like an email, but being introduced like a text message service on a phone.
To send an instant message, and therefore commence a talk conversation with one of your contacts, you have to click on their name in the contact list. You’re then given this screen:
The messages you type then show up in the window above, and remain there as a chain of messages you can read back and keep track of. If you download Skype to your smartphone, this feature is also included, and is a superb way to message your Skype contacts on the go.
How to use Skype: What is Skype, how to make Skype calls from a PC – Tech Advisor
What is Skype & how to use Skype on PC
Skype is one of the best free online communication services out there. Here’s how to get embarked and get talking in minutes.
Skype is a free to download Internet-based communication service, and using Skype just got even lighter. Here we explain what is Skype and break down how to use Skype and how to download it on to your computer.
How to use Skype: Get began in seconds
Below we outline how to download Skype to your PC, sign up for a Skype account and get began adding contacts and making calls. But Skype just made life so much lighter for newcomers, and if you don’t want to you don’t even need to sign up for a Skype account. To get embarked using Skype in seconds simply:
• Tap Commence a Conversation
• Come in your name
• Tap the Embark a Conversation button
• Copy the URL and share it with a friend to begin talking over Skype. The link is valid for twenty four hours
How to use Skype: Check your computer can run Skype
The very first thing you’ll need to do in order to commence using Skype to make calls is to download the programme onto your computer. Here are the requirements Skype suggests you need to get the most out of its service:
- PC running Windows® XP with SP3, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 or ten both 32- and 64-bit operating systems. Get more info
- Internet connection – broadband is best (GPRS is not supported for voice calls).
- Speakers and microphone – built-in or separate.
- For voice calls we recommend a broadband connection with one hundred kbps down / one hundred kbps up.
- For group movie calling everyone on the call needs Skype Five.0 for Windows or Mac or higher plus webcams. For best quality we recommend you use a high-speed broadband connection of 4Mbps down / 512kbps up and a computer with a Core two Duo 1.8 GHz processor. As a minimum you’ll need a high-speed broad connection of 512kbps down / 128kbps up and a computer with a one GHz processor.
Most modern Windows computers are more than adequate for using Skype, but refer to the specifications of your machine if needs be. Here’s our guide on how to view your computer’s specifications.
Let’s also hope at this point that you have broadband. This is a swift Internet connection that permits you to make telephone calls whilst also using the Internet in your home. If you are still using a dial-up connection, you won’t be able to make calls using Skype. Here’s our broadband advice page.
How to use Skype: How to download Skype
You can lightly download Skype for Windows by clicking here. It’s safe to download as it’s hosted by PC Advisor.
Simply go after the instructions on the page to download Skype onto your computer.
Skype is also available to use if you own an Apple iMac or MacBook. Here’s where to download Skype for Mac.
How to use Skype: How to set up Skype
Once Skype has downloaded, you should be faced with the login screen
If you don’t already have a Skype account, you will need to create one. Simply click ‘create an account’ and go after the on-screen instructions.
Skype will check that you have suitable sound and movie options – as you’ll need speakers/headphones to hear others on calls, and a microphone either built in to your computer or an outer one connected in order for people to hear you.
Skype will automatically check that you are set up – if you’re not, it will prompt you on what you need. You can also add a profile picture at this stage.
After this, you’ll be taken to the Skype programme.
How to use Skype: How to call from Skype for free
The main function of Skype is making voice or movie calls to people. Very first you’ll need to add contacts to Skype. On the left of the Skype window, click next to the magnifying glass icon and type in the name of the person you’re looking for. You can also search by their email address or Skype name – best to ask the person for it very first, as it makes it lighter to find.
Once you’ve added the person you want to call, they’ll be stored in your Contacts folder. This is accessible at all times in the left arm column of the Skype window.
Click on the person you want to call. Skype will indicate whether or not that person is Online with a green tick icon. Reminisce however, the person won’t actually show up in your contacts list until they have accepted your invitation to connect. You can then click one of two blue icons in the top right corner of the screen:
The movie camera icon sets up a movie call, while the phone icon sets up a voice only call. Provided you and the recipient both have a webcam and microphone set up, you’ll be introduced with their face and yours once the call connects. Provided you have set up correctly, your Skype call is now in session!
You can also make group calls using Skype. You must have all the people you want to join the group talk as contacts on Skype very first. Then, click on ‘Fresh’ in the far left forearm column. This screen will then pop up:
From here, you can select which of your contact will be in that particular talk group. You can have as many people as you like for an instant messaging talk, but the limit for movie calling is set at Ten. Even on a decent broadband connection, a convenient number of people in a movie talk is around five – don’t be astonished if any more than that causes issues, as making movie calls uses up a lot of bandwidth on your line.
Notice also here that Skype automatically creates a link that you can copy and paste to send to people you’d like to join your conversation. This is useful if those people do not have Skype, as it will invite them to install it and then join the correct group talk.
How to use Skype: How to make calls to phones, how to add Skype credit
Skype also permits you to make calls from your Skype account to phone numbers in many countries around the world. This isn’t part of its free service, and you must add credit to your account using a debit or credit card.
For the total list of countries you can call and from where, and a list of charges, here’s Skype’s own guide. It’ll help give you some idea of how much credit you should add you’re your account for making phone calls.
To make a call, you click on the Call icon on the left bar of the Skype window. You’re then introduced with a dial pad on screen – this dialler also shows how much Skype credit is on your account, and a link to see all calling rates. From here you can dial the number and place the call – this is only for audio as you’re calling a phone, so you can’t make a movie call with this option.
How to use Skype: Instant messaging
Another fine feature of Skype is being able to send your contacts instant messages, much like you would send a text message. These instant messages are free, and are sent over an Internet connection – think of it sending like an email, but being introduced like a text message service on a phone.
To send an instant message, and therefore embark a talk conversation with one of your contacts, you have to click on their name in the contact list. You’re then given this screen:
The messages you type then emerge in the window above, and remain there as a chain of messages you can read back and keep track of. If you download Skype to your smartphone, this feature is also included, and is a excellent way to message your Skype contacts on the go.