Wow indeed. Like many users, I have been steadfastly ludditing my way back to “Classic” Skype 7 despite the dire warnings of software apocalypse that surrounded it. (If you’re not familiar with those warnings, it’s all about an update vulnerability that was identified some time ago, where the auto updater could be usurped by malware). Classic Skype was removed from the Skype website download options, and users like myself were faced with the prospect of either taking the risk, or switching to one of the other Skype versions.
Since the latest version of Windows Skype has been granted a “unified multi platform interface”, this gives me all the terrific advantages should I choose to update of a dumbed down interface that behaves as if I were using a phone instead of a PC, with all of the benefits of obscure symbology and none of those pesky little drawbacks such as being able to easily add extra people into your conference.
Anyway, I chose to take the risk and just turn off auto-updates on Skype, ensure my antivirus and antimalware products were up to date and for the sake of ease of use because Skype is such a mission critical piece of communication software for me and my work, I stuck with Classic 7.
I wasn’t alone. And – amazingly – it seems that Microsoft have listened.
This morning, after a week of nag screens popping up (remember, I’d turned OFF auto update so that annoyed me for starters), I finally gave in, cringed, and hit the “update” button.
At which point I was greeted NOT to the abysmal aberration that is Windows 10 Store Skype, nor to the equally lousy abomination that is “All New Skype Desktop”. No.
I was greeted by … Skype 7.41. Updated. To fix the exploit bug that my paranoia eventually got the better of me over.
So, if you’re a classic Skype user and you’re seeing the nag screen, and you’re using Windows 10 and secretly pray to Microsoft that they stop “improving your Skype experience” then those prayers have been answered. And the “Download Classic Skype” option is now available once more at the Skype website.
Do I hear a “yay!”? (Well, I should!).
Happy Skyping folks!
Best,
Marc
