Skype: How to make a backup

You don't need to buy expensive programs to back up Skype. We'll show you how to save your Skype data quickly and securely.

Skype backup: Save contact list

Skype stores your contact list and your profile information on the Skype servers. They do not necessarily have to be backed up separately. Nevertheless, it is advisable to save the contact list in case of an emergency - for example if you forget your access data or create a new account.

1. Start Skype and log in.
2. Click on "Contacts" in the menu bar at the top and select "Save contacts to file" under "Advanced" (see image).
3. Then determine a storage location for the file and click on the "Save" button.
4. All of your Skype contacts are in the file. With the "Restore contacts from file" function, you can later import your contacts back into Skype or use them in another account.

Skype backup: save settings, history and other data

To save your settings, the chat history, the configuration and log files and the received files (if saved there), just copy a folder:

1. Press the "Windows" and "R" keys simultaneously so that "Run" opens.
2. Enter "% appdata%" in the input field and click on the "OK" button.
3. A new window opens in which you can scroll down and open the "Skype" folder.
4. Here you will find all the important data that Skype has saved on your computer. Simply copy the entire folder to a safe location such as a USB stick or CD. It is usually only a few MB in size.
5. If you need the backup one day, simply select the path again, delete the "Skype" folder and insert the backup folder.
6. If you update Skype, you should also do the backup again. Especially when updating from version 6 to version 7, for example, the folder structure can change. An old backup can therefore cause problems.

The practical tip relates to Skype 6 for Windows. A backup is not only worthwhile for Skype, but for the entire system. How this works under Windows can be read in this practical tip.