A comprehensive guide, showing you how to get started with using Skype.

1. How to get
started with
Skype
What could you do with free calls,
video conferencing, messaging and
screen-sharing. Find our more

2. First things first
Skype allows you to communicate with colleagues, customers, friends
and family.
With Skype you can use your computer, tablet, iPad or smartphone to:
When you’re talking to people who have a Skype account all the calls,
video and messaging is free! But you can also buy credit to make low
cost International calls and UK calls too. By keeping the app open on
your smartphone, you can also use Skype on your mobile like a
telephone.

3. How to get started
To get started, you firstly need to go to www.skype.com and then
select to Join Skype at the top right of the screen.
Step 1 - Registration
You will be directed to another page, where you can either register
with your existing Facebook account, or start from scratch.

4. You are required to fill in your name and email address, but you can
hold back with more personal information such as date of birth, as
that information will be visible.
You need to pick a Skype username, and you are given a few
suggestions unless you have one that you would prefer to use.
Choose your password – making sure that it is unique for Skype – and
then select if you want to have email updates through and continue.
The next page will ask if you want to add credit to your account –
making it a premium account to unlock other features – or to
continue for free. You can add credit on at any time which allows you
to call phones, have group video chats and send text messages.

5. Step 2 – Downloading and Installing
Once you are all registered, you can then download the software onto
your device. Skype is available in many different formats so choose
which one you want to install it on – you can even install it onto your
Smartphone.
Once you have chosen the device type from the list, you will be taken
to a new page where you have the download option, along with an
option to upgrade to a Premium account again.
Select to download it, and follow the instructions on the screen to get
everything installed. You will be asked which language you want to

6. install the software in, and then click next while agreeing to their
Terms and Conditions which are available to view if you so wish.
Step 3 – Getting Logged In
Once everything is installed, you will be presented with a log in
window. Just add the log in details that you used to register – it will
be username and password – and click Sign Me In.

7. Step 4 – Audio and Visual Setup
The next step is to check your sound and video following the prompts
on screen and you will then be asked if you want to add a profile
picture. Once you are through these steps you are ready to get going.
Step 5 – Finding Friends
You will have one contact when you first log in, and that will be
Echo/Sound Test Service which is a default contact if you need
assistance. You are given the option to Search Address Book which
will open another window with places for you to log in and find
contacts. Facebook is a good place to start as you will have built up
some contacts on there now.

8. You will be asked to log in, in the same way you did when searching
for friends on Facebook, and Skype will see who else you might know
that has an account. You can tick the box to select and deselect
people you want to add to your contact list, and once you have
finished click to add them at the bottom.
In the main Skype window, you have a menu bar along the top. Select
Contacts, and Add Contact if you are looking for someone that isn’t
on Facebook or any other way you can use to search for friends.
Step 6 – Making Your First Call
Once you have some contacts added, you are ready to get in touch
with people. The contacts list is on the left side of the main Skype
window, and if there is a green icon to the left of the name, then that
contact will be online and available to talk.

9. Click onto the contact that you want to call, and then select Video Call
from the main page.
Once you select to video call, they will receive an alert on their screen
that you are trying to contact them and they can either accept the
call, or reject it if they are busy. Once they accept it, within a few
moments you will both be able to see and hear each other.
The call quality on Skype can sometimes deteriorate, and the calls can
drop. The video can sometimes get a little delayed, and the sound can
also go a bit funny, but overall it is a wonderful way to get in touch
and stay in touch with your people, wherever they are in the world.
We hope that you have found this guide helpful, and you are able to
keep in touch with your friends and loved ones in a much more
interactive way than just picking up a telephone or sending an email.