Microsoft is starting to withdraw Skype Classic today, but there are still two different versions of Skype 8. Windows 10 has a "App Store" version of Skype. This version has fewer features than Skype for desktop, available for download from Microsoft website.
So there are two versions of Skype for Windows:
- "Skype for Windows 10" is included in Windows 10 and comes from the Windows Store. It is a UWP application, which means that it has several limitations.
- “Skype for Windows” (not including 10) is available for download from Microsoft's Skype website. If you have Skype Classic installed, the system it will automatically install this version of Skype on your system very soon. It has extra features as it doesn't have the sandbox limitations of UWP. This version is called “desktop.”
Both applications Skype use the code of the new Skype 8 and are similar. But the desktop version has more features. You can install both on your system, and you can run both applications at the same time.
How to download Skype from Microsoft's website
Microsoft Hides This Version! To find it, you should visit the Skype download site.
The normal one choice “Get Skype for Windows 10” downloads Skype version 8 from the Store. To get the desktop version of Skype 8, you need to click the down arrow next to the download button and select “Get Skype for Windows” (without 10) under the Linux download options.
What's the difference;
At first glance, apps seem to be the same. Both are based on Skype 8, but if you search you will find differences.
For example, the desktop version of Skype in Settings> General allows you to start Skype automatically when Windows starts, and the application will continue to run in the notifications area. The Store version of Skype does not have these options.
The desktop version also has Cortana features. You can activate the answers, the emoticons and actions in Cortana for Skype. The Store version of Skype does not include these options.
If you are upgrading from Skype Classic, the desktop version of Skype 8 can import your chat history. There is also an option "Export chat history from Skype 7.x" in the Settings - Messages area. This option is only available on Skype for desktop.
In Settings - Messaging there is also an option that allows you to control the text size of conversations, while in Skype Store it does not exist.
Only the desktop version of Skype 8 supports DirectShow camera inputs that are required for applications such as Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) and Xsplit.
The Store version only supports camera inputs using the latest “Microsoft Media Foundation". So if the Store version can't find the camera you need, try downloading Skype for desktop.
Desktop desktop Skype also supports NDI while Skype from Store does not seem to be able to capture video from a network camera and use it as a Skype video source.
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