How to set up Skype on a laptop. Installation and preliminary configuration of Skype - instructions

Skype has been loved since ancient times for its high-quality voice and video communications. Skype provides the opportunity to communicate for free, as long as you have Internet access. There is also a function of paid calls to mobile and landlines in any country in the world.

How to install Skype on your computer

Skype is in Russian and can be downloaded for free on the official website.

After downloading, Skype will offer to register, fill out the fields. We’ll skip the initial setup of the microphone and webcam, if you have one, for now and go straight to the setup from the program menu so that we can understand how to return to this process at any time.

This is interesting: The origins of VoIP technology go back to 1876, when the American Alexander Bell made the first telephone call and patented the “talking telegraph” he invented. This device did not have a bell, and the call was made through the handset using a whistle. Range of the first " talking telegraph» did not exceed 500 meters.

Classic Skype settings

So, Skype is downloaded, installed and launched under your login. Let's go to the menu “Tools -> Settings -> General Settings”

There is nothing military here, you can call at your discretion or leave it as is. I recommend removing "Start Skype at Windows startup". You can also customize for yourself after what time Skype should change your status to “Away” if the mouse or keyboard is not in use.

Setting up the microphone and speakers

Let's move on to the more interesting “Sound Settings” tab. If you have one sound card, for example built-in, then most likely everything will be correctly selected by default.

For the microphone, select the microphone input. If you have a webcam with a built-in microphone, then it is better to choose it as a microphone. In the “Speakers” drop-down list, you need to select the audio output device where the speakers or headphones are connected. By the way, using a simple program you can.

To use Skype, you need a laptop with Internet access, as well as a built-in microphone and webcam. If there is no webcam, it’s okay, they simply won’t see you, but you can hear and listen without problems.

The operating system can be almost any: Windows 7, 8, 10, Mac, Linux. Installation is also available on tablets on Android and iPad. The advantage of Skype is that you can use it as both a telephone and a videophone.

Minimum Internet traffic speed for normal operation program is: for telephone communication 56 Kb/s, for video communication 512 Kb/s.

At the end of this article there is a video that shows in detail how to set up and use Skype on a laptop.

How to register and install skype for free

First of all, you need to have a laptop with Internet access, preferably one with sufficient speed to use the program. In these cases, both stationary (for example, fiber optic) and mobile internet(check with your mobile operator availability of access to the World Wide Web).

To install Skype you need to go to the official website of the program www.skype.com and download the program distribution kit for free in Russian to your laptop. After you download the program, you need to install it. Next, you will be asked to log in using your existing username and enter a password. If there are none, go through a short registration. It is described step by step when you click on the “Register” button.

After completing the manipulations and entering your login and password (account activation), for convenience, you can check the box automatic login to the program. After this, you will not need to constantly enter your username and password.

Setting up Skype on a laptop

The next step is to launch the program and configure it. First of all, when you log in, you will be asked to set up your headphones and microphone, as well as your webcam.

To avoid getting confused by technical terms, just do a sound check and leave the rest as default. If for some reason you have no sound or your voice is not heard, check that all your devices are connected. When the video camera is turned on, the image will automatically be displayed on the screen.

The next step is setting an avatar, photograph or other drawing. When installing an avatar, you can also take a photo from an existing webcam or upload your image from a laptop, if you have one. After initial setup click "Use".

Skype settings on a laptop available at any time if you click on top panel program section “Tools” and then “Settings”. After this, you can change the settings at your discretion, but if everything works fine for you, you don’t have to return to this point.

After which you will see a window with settings, where there are several items, each of which is responsible for certain settings.

Sound settings

You can select a microphone from the list if, in addition to the built-in microphone in your laptop, you also have an additional one. You can also select speakers. Again, either built into the laptop or headphones, if you have them, and select the sound volume. Careful settings will allow you to talk comfortably on Skype and hear your interlocutor well.

In the “video settings” section, you can set brightness, contrast and other video parameters, as well as set an avatar if you do not want to show yourself to your interlocutor.

1. In the "Security" section you can set up incoming calls and choose from whom to receive them and from whom not.
2. Item "Alerts" relates more to the sound design of Skype, it configures sounds when entering and leaving, notifications about messages.
3. In the item called “Calls”, you can forward calls to regular phones.
4. “Chat and SMS” item is responsible for the design of correspondence, in it you can configure the visual design of the chat, as well as sending SMS to mobile phones.
5. IN " Additional settings» you set the available ports and automatic updates, and also assign keyboard shortcuts for ease of use.

Separately, you can add that for calls from Skype to home and cell phones You can call if your Skype account balance is positive. You can deposit money into your Skype account by clicking “Skype” in the top menu and selecting “Deposit money into your Skype account.” Next you will see a choice of amount and payment method. Most convenient way payment, this is a VISA card because accessible to almost everyone.

Have you already downloaded Skype? If not, you can do this on the page. But, if the program is already installed, then you need to configure it and get acquainted with it. Let's now figure out how to set up Skype.

First of all, launch Skype and enter your username and password. But if you don’t have them, then don’t despair and quickly go through the simple registration. The “Skype Login” you choose will be used instead of the phone number you can call. Those. in order to call.

Having our username and password, we logged into Skype and upon first launch we were immediately prompted to configure the sound and webcam. If you don’t have something ready or couldn’t configure it now, you can do it later, but more on that later. You can also leave the avatar upload for later by clicking on the “Delay” button.

After the initial settings, we are informed that the setup is complete and we are told that we need to add contacts to our list. Click "Use Skype".

If you need to enter contacts, this is done in the left column. Enter the last name, login or email of the user you are looking for and click “Find Skype users”.

Having found the desired contact, select it and then click “Add to contact list”, you will be prompted to send a message with authorization, click “OK”. You can also call without any authorization, just click on the “Video call” or “ Phone call" Calls between users on Skype are completely free, so don't worry about your wallet. But if you want to call a landline or mobile phone, you will have to pay. More information about tariffs can be found on the Skype website.

How can I top up my Skype account? To do this, go to the “Skype” tab (top left) and select “Account” in it. In the window that opens, fill in the information and “Forward.”

And in the next window, select the payment method. And of course, don’t forget to pay; your account should be replenished immediately after payment.

Skype today is the most popular app to communicate with acquaintances and friends. You can communicate using a microphone with any person on the network, or if for some reason you do not have a microphone, you can communicate using messages in the program itself. Again, Skype in mandatory must be installed for everyone who participates in communication.

This type of communication is free. If you need to call landlines or mobile phones in another country, this can be done cheaply compared to regular rates. You simply deposit money into your Skype account and you can safely call.

The first thing you need to do is download the program Skype installations from the site. Download link . To do this, click the Download link at the top of the page.

Next, select the type of installation file for your computer and then click the “Skype for Desktop” button Windows desktop" After this, the file will begin downloading to your computer. You select the folder in which you save installation file and after downloading is complete, run this file. This way it starts Skype installation to the computer.

After the installation begins, a User Account Control window may appear. Click “Yes” and continue the installation. And at the next stage, select the program language (1), select the option “Launch Skype with download operating system"(2), and, if necessary, adjust additional options(3) in which you can select the folder where to install the program (option 5, although I do not recommend changing it) and you can disable the creation of a shortcut on the desktop. After setting these simple options Click “I agree - next” (4).

The next window is the option to install a plugin, with which you can click on the Skype icon directly from the browser and immediately make a call. Personally, I don’t use this option and consider unnecessary plugins and add-ons only extra load on the system. So check or uncheck the box and click “Continue”.

The next step is the option to do Bing search engine default and install MSN home page. Turn them off. I can tell you from experience that this is not an effective search engine. Click Continue.

This is the last step in the instructions “How to install Skype on your computer.” In a few seconds, Skype will be installed on your computer.

When it comes to such a popular and in-demand communication program, you don’t even have to torment yourself with the question of whether it has the ability to free registration. Of course, there is, because it is very profitable for developers that their product is used as much as possible larger number users.

Registration in the application is extremely simple and accessible even for inexperienced users. To complete the procedure, you need to go to the official website of the program - www.skype.com and select the “Join!” option located in the upper right corner of the window.

After this, you are redirected to a page where you need to provide contact information - last name, first name, email address. There is important nuance– It is advisable to indicate your real data. Why, you ask? Everything is very simple - in principle, when registering, you can indicate any first and last name, only in this case, finding you on the Internet will be incredibly difficult, almost impossible. So, if you have nothing to hide and you are not wanted, feel free to provide your real information. An exception, perhaps, can be made for a mobile phone number.

Having reached the item “How do you plan to use Skype?”, indicate “Mainly for private conversations”, after which you can proceed to entering your username and password.

The login must be in English. Please note that if after entering your login, the message “Such Skype login cannot be used”, which means that a user with a similar nickname already exists and you will have to choose another one for yourself. As for the password, it can be anything, but the more complex, the better. The main thing is not to forget it after registration.

Finally, you need to pass an anti-spam check, proving to the system that you are a living person and not a robot. To do this, just enter the text from the presented picture in the specified field, then click the “I agree - Next” button.

If any of the fields are filled in incorrectly, a message will be displayed on the screen indicating this. Read it carefully and correct any inaccuracies. If everything is filled out correctly, you will automatically go to next page, offering you to buy something. Select the item “Thank you, no need for now” and click “Continue”.

At this point, registration is completed and you can proceed to downloading the application itself.

How to set up Skype on a computer

Well, we registered the program, downloaded it and installed it on our computer. Now it's time to configure it correctly and start using it.

All settings are made when you first enter the program. Skype itself offers you to connect and configure everything necessary equipment– microphone, headphones, speakers, camera. If you are missing anything from this list, no problem - just skip this point. To return to the settings at any time, click “Tools” and then “Settings” in the program interface. The settings window is quite simple, with an intuitive interface - for example, to check the sound, just click “Check Sound”. If the sound plays, then everything is fine. If it is missing, try choosing another device from those offered. If this does not help, make sure that the devices you have chosen are correctly connected and in working order.

The algorithm of actions when checking a microphone is no different from the above, and its readiness for work is indicated by a bar green, moving from left to right, the moment you say something.

As for the video camera, then, when correct connection, it will display a picture on the screen. After you have verified that everything is working necessary components, click the “Continue” button.

If you wish, you can upload an avatar to the application by selecting your photo or any other image - to do this, click the “Continue” command and select one of the proposed actions - a photo from the camera or uploading a picture from your computer. If you want to skip this item, select the “Delay” command.

After all the initial settings have been completed, you can start working. Select the “Use Skype” option and proceed to its operation.

If suddenly a situation arises that you have added a new device to the system or want to change it a little existing settings, don’t worry, it’s very easy and simple to do. You just need to select the “Tools” menu item, indicating the “Settings” option in it. This item is located at the top of the program window.

The menu that appears will open you full access to the program settings. You can describe for a long time how to use it correctly, what, why and what to click on, but this makes no sense - the window is designed in such a way that anyone, even the least trained user of the application, can understand it. The main thing is to be careful and show a little patience. So, for starters, it’s best to look at the “General Settings” item, checking the boxes in the order you need, then go to the “Sound Settings” window, and so on, until Skype is configured the way you need. After specifying all the necessary parameters, do not forget to select the “Save” option located in the lower right corner of the window.
Happy using.

Removing Skype from your computer is done in the same way as . But for clarity, I will demonstrate step-by-step actions.

The first thing you need to do is click the “Start” button and select “Control Panel” from the menu.

In the “Control Panel” window, find the Programs menu and click “Uninstall a program”.

Finding our Skype program and press 2 times. After this, a “User Account Control” window may appear in which you need to click the “Yes” button

For the last time we confirm that we really want to remove Skype and then the process will automatically remove it completely.

Today's article is dedicated to one of the most popular programs for communication on the Internet - this is Skype. I will show you how to install and configure it, but most importantly, you will learn how to use Skype and its most useful functions that not everyone knows about (send a message, call, find contacts, enable screen sharing, make group call etc.).

Skype gained its popularity thanks to the development fast internet and the ability to transmit free audio via the Internet, and then a video image. Users around the world began to communicate for free - it’s convenient and pleasant.

Let's start studying.

How to install Skype on a computer

To install Skype, download the installation file from the official website - Download Skype.

You will be offered a choice of installing the program on various devices; we will consider Skype for PC. Currently available versions for both desktop computers, and for smartphones and tablets and even for game consoles. Click the “Download Skype for Windows” button.

Next, run the downloaded file. Installing the program takes just a couple of minutes, all you have to do is agree to the terms of use. Choose a language and agree. We wait some time while the installation takes place.

Voila, Skype is installed on your computer and the welcome window asks you to enter your username for authorization.

How to create an account on Skype

The program works individually for each user. If you have an account, then indicate, if this is your first time using the program, proceed to registration. Currently you can login via social Facebook network, use your account Microsoft entry or Skype.

Click "create account" to create account Microsoft.

Fill out all the fields, including the captcha, and click “create account.”

On email You have been sent a confirmation email containing a security code that you must enter in the appropriate field. After entering, click “next”.

Registration is now complete. Finally, you will be asked to test the microphone and camera, as well as set an avatar (use the camera or upload a photo from your computer). All this can be done later in the settings, now just click “Continue”.

Skype program interface

This is what the Skype window looks like:

At the top there is a control panel with drop-down menus. On the left side there is your avatar with name and status, below it there is a search bar, below there are buttons home page– dial pads, creation new conversation and adding bots. Below the buttons is a list of contacts. On the right is a large dialog box.

Skype statuses

Next to your avatar you can see your status in my example, green with a tick (means I’m online), there are five of them in Skype:

• on the network – green – shows that the user is logged in to the program and his computer is working (not sleeping);
• away – yellow – the program is turned on, but the user has moved away from the workplace or the computer is in standby mode;
• do not disturb – red – turns off all sounds and pop-up windows of the program so as not to be distracted;
• offline – white with a green border – the computer or program is turned off, perhaps the user is simply not logged in;
• invisible - white with a green border - allows you to actually be online, but other users will not know about it unless you write to them.

Some statuses change automatically, but any one can be set manually - click on the status icon next to the avatar.

The difference between “offline” and “invisible” when switching manually is that the invisible one sees everyone else, and “offline” completely disables the program, as if there is no connection to the Internet.

How to set up Skype

Let's look at the basic Skype settings that you should pay attention to before you start using the program. To open them, in the main menu, click “tools”, then “settings”.

The window shown in the screenshot below will open.

Auto-start and auto-authorization and auto-“out of office”

IN general settings you can clear or check the auto-start and automatic authorization boxes. If you want your status to automatically change to “offline” after a certain period of inactivity, check the appropriate box and indicate the time.

Checking sound settings

To do this, select the “Sound Settings” item. Choose required device and test the microphone and headphones - the green bar should jump when talking into the microphone and when the speakers are playing. Use the sliders to change the volume level of the microphone and speakers.

Blocking messages from strangers

In blocking unnecessary messages The “Security Settings” section will help you from spammers. You are asked to check one of two options: receive messages and calls from all users or only from people in your contact list. Accepting messages only from your contact list can save you from unnecessary spam.

“Open additional” calls, video calls and chats are considered separately, here you customize everything to your needs.

We make similar settings for calls in the “Calls” tab:

How to search and add contacts on Skype

You can find a contact in the following way. In the Skype menu bar you need a drop-down menu “Contacts”, in it “add contact” and “Search in the Skype directory”.

You will be directed to the search bar in the main window of the program (or you can immediately access the search without top menu), where you can type your name, Skype login or email. Then click the “search in Skype” button and select the desired contact from the list.

After selection the right person, you will see a message saying that he is not included in your contact list. Click the “Add to contact list” button, leave a comment about who you are or why you are being added, so that people don’t think that you are just another spammer. Send a request.

You will not be able to view the user’s personal data until he approves the application, but they will not be able to view your data without adding it to the contact list, which is why you need a comment on the application.

As soon as you launch Skype after registration, you already have two contacts in your contact list - these are bots. The Echo / Sound Test Service bot is needed to test communications. Only the call function is available for it: call, listen to the answering machine, speak after the signal, listen to yourself and evaluate whether the quality of your connection satisfies you.

Skype bot is an informant bot. You can neither call nor write to him. This bot will periodically send you advice or tips for using Skype.

How to send a message on Skype

You can write or call any user, except those who are prohibited from receiving messages and calls from users not from the contact list.

To open the dialog box, simply select the desired contact in the list and left-click on it. You can insert an emoticon into a message, attach a picture or document, or send contacts of a user on your list. All of these features are represented by blue icons.

You can edit or delete a sent message; to do this, you just need to right-click on it and select the appropriate function from the drop-down menu.

How to call on Skype

The call and video call buttons are located in the dialog box at the top, opposite the name of the interlocutor. To operate the first, a microphone is sufficient; video conversation will be available only if you have a video camera.

During a call, you can turn on or off the video and microphone by clicking on the buttons with the corresponding images. The plus button allows you to add additional users into conversation.

How to enable screen sharing in Skype

One of useful functions is a screen sharing. To launch it, in the main menu you need to open the “Calls” drop-down menu and the corresponding function in it. It will be active during the call.

You can also right-click on the desired contact in the list to demonstrate and select “screen sharing” from the drop-down menu. If you have not yet called the contact, a window will pop up asking you to call.

Screen sharing allows you to show your interlocutors in real time what is happening on your monitor. You can show the entire screen or a specific window.

After selecting the area to broadcast, click the “start” button. The display area will be highlighted with a red frame. You can interrupt the demonstration at any time by clicking the “stop show” button or ending the call.

Group call on Skype and group chat

The ability to hold a conference (group call) is a big advantage of Skype. You can create a group call in the way that was described above, when we discussed how to call (plus sign in the panel when making a call), or before the call, to do this, you need to click on the button with a person next to the video call and call buttons.

In the list that opens you select necessary contacts and add them to the dialogue. All participants can add people to the conference, but only the creator can remove them. From the selected contacts will be created group chat, in which everyone can write messages and everyone can see the general conversation at the same time.