In this period of worldwide quarantine, you should not only avoid leaving your home, but also have physical contact with other people. However, you still have the option of communicating with your friends and family through texts, voice and even HD videos, thanks to platforms such as Skype. But do you know how to use Skype correctly? Find out in this guide how to download, run and use Skype and all the excellent features it has to offer.
creat your account
The first step to use Skype is to download it and configure your account on this platform.
Step 1: Open your browser of choice and head to the Skype home page. Click the big blue button "Get Skype”And the corresponding page of the Microsoft store will open. Or you can also open the Microsoft store by clicking on the cone in the taskbar or searching for "Microsoft store”In the search box. When you're there, look for "Skype”And click on the corresponding application page.
Step 2: click the blue button “Get”To download and install Skype for Windows 10. The Microsoft store may ask you if you want to use it on multiple devices, and if so, you must log in with your Microsoft account. If you prefer to have an exclusive Skype account, simply choose the option “no thanks"
Step 3: Skype should now be installed on your system. To start it, use the search box on the Windows taskbar and search for “Skype" When it appears in the search box, click the corresponding icon.
Step 4: If you already have a Skype account, you can log in with your Skype name, email or phone number and skip to the next section. To create a new account, click on the text “Create a new account"
Step 5: You can sign up for a Skype account with an email address or phone number. Once you have done so, enter the relevant information and click "Next"
Step 6: The following screens will ask you to enter personal information such as age, name and location. Enter all of that and continue clicking. When asked for a verification code, verify your email or phone number and enter the code.
Step 7: If you are asked for a CAPTCHA code, enter that and click "Create Account" Now you have a Skype account that works. As simple as that!
Find friends and family
Although before you needed the detailed data of your friends to add them to your Skype contacts, nowadays it is much easier. Do you want to learn how to do it?
Step 1: When you first sign in to your account, Skype will ask you if you want to import your existing contacts into your Microsoft account so you don't have to add them manually.
Step 2: If you want to find someone else who is not on your list, select the box “Search Skype”In the upper left corner and search for your real name, Skype name or email address.
Step 3: If your friend has a fairly common name and you are concerned that it may be difficult to find, we have the solution for you. You can use profile pictures to find the person or you can also click on them to display their name and personal information at the top of the window.
After this, you can start chatting. It is important to know that anyone you talk to will automatically be added to your contact list.
Text chats
Step 1: Select the person you want to talk to, either from the recent conversations list on the left or from your contact list at the top of the window. This will open a conversation on the right side of the application window.
Step 2: Click at the bottom of the conversation pane where it says "Write a message" There you can write what you want and then press enter, or click the submit arrow on the right side.
Step 3: wait for your answer, read it and answer.
Voice calls
Step 1: make sure you have a compatible microphone and a headphone / speaker setup. Check them out and verify that Skype has recognized them by clicking the three-dot menu at the top of the window, and then “Configuration" Best of all, you can leave your "Speakers" and "Microphone" as "Default device"
If you want to verify that your hardware works correctly, use the link "Test audioWhich is on the menu Configuration or you can also call the services "Echo”Of Skype following the same steps.
Step 2: Select the contact or person you want to talk to in the same way as text chats.
Step 3: click on the blue phone cone in the upper right corner. If that person is online and their Skype is open, you can contact them directly, and once they answer you, you can listen to them.
If someone calls you the same way, just click the corresponding button to answer the call. But, if you don't want to talk to them, click on the red button.
Video calls
To add an extra dimension to your conversations, why not use Skype's video calling feature? All you need is a web camera and a good layout to show your face.
Step 1: Make sure that your camera works correctly with Skype, as well as your speakers and microphone. Click on the three-dot menu icon and select Configuration. Click on “Default device”Under the video header at the top of the page and select your webcam from the dropdown menu.
If you want to corroborate that all the elements work correctly, activate the button “Test video”In the configuration menu. If it works correctly, a live video of you will appear in the menu.
Step 2: When you're ready, select the contact you want to call and click the blue camera icon in the upper right corner. You can also start a voice call and then click the same camera button in the call window.
When you are enjoying the video call, you can see a thumbnail version in the lower right corner of how your friend is viewing you. Also, it is important to know that, if you want to see your friend displayed on the entire main screen of your screen, first of all, they have to activate their camera option.
Step 3: But if for some reason you want to text chat during the call, click the text chat button in the upper right corner of the video call window. That will reduce the main video section of the window and give you the usual text chat options.
* Updated by Mara Teresa Lopes on March 19, 2020.
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