Microsoft's Skype app is available in two different flavors on Windows devices: there's a desktop app you can download from the website, and a Microsoft Store app that's pre-installed with Windows 10. The two apps look almost the same, but there have been some significant differences between them, specifically the tighter integration with OS features that's offered by the Store app.
Now, though, Microsoft seems to be unifying the two apps, as a recent update to Skype Preview on the Microsoft Store has turned the app into the exact same thing you'd get with the desktop version, as first spotted by Aggiornamenti Lumia on Twitter. That means it's no longer based on React Native and it's using Electron instead, and it also means that a lot of the OS-level integration is now gone. That includes the ability to respond to messages from notifications or Windows 10-style incoming call notifications, as noted in a couple of tweets by another user, Florian B:
![App App](/uploads/1/3/4/7/134716685/419582188.jpg)
Stay connected by downloading the Skype app for your mobile device as well. Get the most out of Skype on your phone or tablet. Use Skype to call phones.
- Download Skype apps and clients across mobile, tablet, and desktop and across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
- The Skype for Business Basic client is designed to be used on systems that need only basic functionality. It provides instant messaging (IM), audio and video calls, online meetings, availability (presence) information, and sharing capabilities.
- Skype keeps the world talking. Say “hello” with an instant message, voice or video call – all for free. Use Skype to send SMS messages to mobiles worldwide and with SMS Connect you can now also read and reply to your phone's SMS messages right from your computer. SMS connect will be released gradually. Video calls – Don’t just hear the cheers, see them! Get together with 1 or 24.
- Skype keeps the world talking. Say “hello” with an instant message, voice or video call – all for free. Use Skype to send SMS messages to mobiles worldwide and with SMS Connect you can now also read and reply to your phone's SMS messages right from your computer. SMS connect will be released gradually. Video calls – Don’t just hear the cheers, see them! Get together with 1 or 24.
Yikes, just tried it & they obliterated every good thing the UWP still had.
-No more people app integration
-No more sync with outlook
-No more automatic MSA sign in
-No more app pausing / working in background
-No more good looking title bar
— Florian B (@flobo09) March 17, 2020-No more people app integration
-No more sync with outlook
-No more automatic MSA sign in
-No more app pausing / working in background
-No more good looking title bar
Skype App Download
There may be some benefits to using the desktop app instead of the Store app. For example, Skype 8.56 added the ability to easily quote a message using keyboard shortcuts, but the Microsoft Store version of the app didn't support it. Still, it seems like you may be losing more than winning here.
if you're not enrolled in the preview program for Skype, this change won't affect you just yet. If you do want to use the desktop app, though, you can download it from here, or join the preview from the Skype app settings on your PC and check for updates on the Microsoft Store.
Skype App For Mac
Q: What are the advantages/differences of the modern Skype app over the desktop version?
Skype App Download For Laptop
A: Generally desktop and modern apps are slightly different approaches for creating and distributing programs. Microsoft is trying to apply Apple's and Google's with it's Google play store ideology and to distribute software through centralized Window's app store. Usually it is easier for user to install and to upgrade application through centralized repository. On the other hand this puts some limitations on applications itself, e.g. MP3 Skype recorder can't be modern app as it requires access to disk and low level access to audio.
Skype modern app offers slightly different interface and lacks some features, e.g. you can't open a call/conversation in separate window. You can't open two instances of Skype app to use with different Skype accounts etc.
Skype modern app offers slightly different interface and lacks some features, e.g. you can't open a call/conversation in separate window. You can't open two instances of Skype app to use with different Skype accounts etc.