Turn off Skype advertising: how it works

Many users feel annoyed by the advertising on Skype and want to switch it off. In this practical tip, we will show you how.

Update: Switch off advertising in the latest Skype version

1. Close Skype completely and open the Control Panel on your computer.
2. In the category "Network and Internet" you will now find the "Internet Options". Go to the "Security" tab above and select the "Restricted Sites" item.
3. Then click on the "Sites" button and enter the URL "//apps.skype.com/". Click the "Add" button and close the two windows again.
4. The website that is responsible for advertising in Skype is now blocked by Windows.
5. To completely remove the advertising from Skype, follow the instructions in the next but one paragraph.

Remove advertising from Skype - Here's how

Note: A few things have changed in the latest version of Skype regarding the deactivation of advertising. The instructions in this paragraph are no longer required and can therefore be skipped.

1. In order for the advertising to disappear above the chat window, you have to intervene a little deeper into the system. By blocking certain IP addresses in the Windows hosts file, advertisements can no longer find their way to Skype.
2. In another practical tip, we will show you how to edit hosts files under Windows.
3. Block the following IP addresses. Microsoft sends advertising across all IP addresses. Blocking the first port may already be sufficient:

• 127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com
• 127.0.0.1 live.rads.msn.com
• 127.0.0.1 ads1.msn.com
• 127.0.0.1 static.2mdn.net
• 127.0.0.1 g.msn.com
• 127.0.0.1 a.ads2.msads.net
• 127.0.0.1 b.ads2.msads.net
• 127.0.0.1 ac3.msn.com

Skype: switch off advertising placeholder

Even if the advertisement is no longer displayed, a placeholder still exists. Although this can be removed, some users may find that Skype Home no longer works or the change made by Skype is automatically undone.

1. Press the "Windows" and "R" keys simultaneously so that the "Execute" command opens.
2. Enter% AppData% \ Skype \ here and open the folder with your Skype name.
3. Right-click on the "config.xml" file and select the "Edit" option or the "Editor" under "Open with".
4. Around the 30th line from below you will find the following entry: "1".
5. Close Skype, change 1 to 0 and save the file. You can then start Skype again.

Skype advertising: prohibit data collection

When installing Skype, you allowed the program to use your data to show you personalized advertising. You can also withdraw this authorization from the software:

1. Open Skype and click on the button of the same name in the top right corner. Select the "Privacy" item there and click the "Advanced Options" button.
2. Remove the checkmark in front of the item "Allow Microsoft to display personalized ads, also using Skype profile data such as age and gender" (see picture).
3. If you then click on the "Save" button, Skype can no longer collect data to personalize advertising for you.

If you prefer not to use Skype anymore, you can find good Skype alternatives in the following article.