Advanced Skype Tips and Tricks – User Must Know
Advanced Skype Tips and Tricks, Skype is an application, which provides video chat and voice calling services. Users are allowed to share text, image, as well as video and also help to transmit both text and video messages simultaneously. It is available for all the operating systems in desktop as well as in the leading smartphone OS platforms. It is a freemium-based application. However, user has to add credits while calling on a landline or mobile phone number. There are over 660 million users on Skype. It allows user to communicate over the internet by using a microphone, video chat by using webcam and it is a successful instant messaging platform.
Tips and Tricks
Even though Skype is mostly used as medium for video chat and instant messaging, there are many less explored options and features inbuilt in this messaging application. Here are the few exciting Tips and Tricks related to Skype that will make Skype users’ get-go easy.
Transfer the Skype Account Contacts
One can easily backup all the contacts in one Skype account and transfer it to another Skype account. To do so, go the main head of the Skype window, click on Contacts menu, then click on Advanced and finally click on Backup Contacts to File. It generates a .vcf file which the user can save on his computer.
After this sign in with second Skype account where user wants to upload their contacts. When the user has signed in they have to click on Contacts then after that click on Advanced and finally click on Restore Contacts from File right below Restore Contacts to File.
Here is the screenshot for the above trick:
Re-Edit the Last Message
Consider that message user have sent contains some mistake and he want to edit and send it again, is it possible? Yes, it can be done by simply pressing the ‘up arrow’ on the keyboard. The last message the user sent will appear. Just make the changes user wants and resend the edited message.
Here is the screenshot for the above trick:
Changing Font Appearance For Chat
With the help of this tip the user can change the font type and size of the Skype chat. In order to change it following steps must be followed:
- First, click on Tools in main Skype window.
- Second, select Options.
- Third, click on IM & SMS.
- Fourth, click on IM Appearance.
- Finally, click on Change Font.
Here is the screenshot for the above tip:
Make Calls Directly From the Contact List
User can make direct calls to Skype contacts by double-clicking on Skype contact list. It can be done by going to Skype window, click on Tools followed by the Options. Then go to General Settings and tick on the “When I double-click on a contact start a call”.
Here is the screenshot for the above trick:
Clear Chat History
The user can clear the chat history on Skype and define the time frame for storing the chat history. For clearing the chat history go to Skype main window, click on Tools followed by Options then IM & SMS. After this step proceed to IM Settings then click on Show Advanced Options before clicking on Clear History option. The user can select the timeline for storing the chat history.
Here is the screenshot for the above trick:
Pause Animated Emoticons
Some users don’t like emoticons and they just want to pause this. For doing this go to the Skype main window, click on Tools after thatclick on Options then click on IM & SMS then select IM appearance and finally uncheck “Show Animated Emoticons” Checkbox.
Here is the screenshot for the above trick:
Enable Keyboard Shortcuts
The user can enable the keyboard shortcuts for frequently used features. Some default keyboard shortcuts are already provided and the user can change it according to their preference. In order to enable keyboard shortcuts go to the main Skype window click on Tools then click on ‘Advanced’ select Hotkeys and finally click on “Enable Keyboard Shortcuts” check-box.
Here is the screenshot for the above trick:
Setup Caller ID
Whenever the user makes the Skype call on another number they might want others to see the user’s original number even when they are calling from some other number.
The user can setup the Caller ID by going to main Skype window then click on Skype menu finally click on Account button. It will open the webpage in the default web browser where the user will get the information related to calls. User has to click on Caller ID button then on next page user can select Country/Region and Phone Number. After that, click on Verify Number.
Here is the screenshot for the above trick:
Backup Skype Chat History
Skype deletes the chat history after specified period of time so if the user wants to keep the chat history for longer time, they have to choose chat history back-up.
In order to back-up the Skype chat history, open Run command and then enter the command “%appdata%\Skype” on Run prompt then click OK.
Here is the screenshots for the above trick:
After that, a window will open and user has to open the folder with their Skype ID as name. Here they will find a file named “main.db” it contains all Skype chat history. Copy it and store it somewhere else.
Skype Call Forwarding
Users can forward the calls to Skype contacts or mobile numbers. Skype to Skype call forwarding is free while calling on other mobile number or landline user requires Skype credit.
To setup call forwarding in Skype user has to click on Tools in main Skype window. Then click on the Options menu.
New window opens up then click on Calls and then click on Call Forwarding. The user now can setup call forwarding to their desired number.
Privacy in Skype
Conclusion
The Skype Tips and Tricks mentioned above are very useful for the regular Skype users. Following this tips and tricks can help them make their experience with Skype a much excited and customized one. Hope, these tricks would prove to be useful enough for the Skype user out there. Skype is currently the market leader in VOIP services. It has lots of features and tricks that the users aren’t aware about. In the near future Microsoft should provide the feature that will enable the users to back up their chat history on smartphones. Happy Skyping!
