The Skype App has a tendency to start with your computer and keep running in the background. You will find below the steps to Stop Skype from running in Background in Windows 10.
Stop Skype From Running in Background in Windows 10
There are multiple versions of Skype and the steps to prevent Skype from running in Background depend on the version of Skype that is currently installed on your Windows 10 computer.
Skype Preview is included as part of Windows 10 on most computers and some computers also come pre-loaded with Skype For Business App.
The third version of Skype is known as “Skype For Desktop” and it won’t be there on your computer, unless you have downloaded and Installed Skype Desktop App on your Computer.
Thankfully, it is easy to stop all versions of Skype from running in background on a Windows 10 computer.
1. Stop Skype Preview From Running in Background in Windows 10
Once you Sign-in to Skype Preview, it keeps you signed-in and keeps running in the background. The only way to prevent Skype Preview from running in background is to Sign-out of Skype Preview.
1. Click on the Start button > scroll through the list of Apps and click on Skype Preview.
2. On the next screen, click on your Profile icon and click on Sign Out option in the menu that appears.
Once you sign-out of Skype Preview, you won’t find the App starting automatically with your computer and running in background.
2. Stop Skype Desktop App From Running in Background in Windows 10
Once you start using the Desktop version of Skype, it will keep you signed-in and continue running in the background. This happens even if you logout of the Skype App.
1. Right-click on the Skype icon in Taskbar and click on Quit Skype option in the menu that appears.
If you cannot find the Skype icon in the taskbar, click on the System Tray (1) icon, right click on the Skype icon (2) and click on the Quit option that appears in the right-click menu.
This will prevent Skype Desktop App from running in the background on your computer for now.
The next time you start the computer, take a look at the taskbar and the system tray to make sure that Skype is not running in background.
3. Stop Skype For Business From Running in Background in Windows 10
Similar to Skype Desktop, Skype For Business is also designed to keep you signed-in and remain active in the background.
As you can imagine, this behaviour is designed to keep you connected with Skype, so that you are always ready to make and receive Skype calls at any time on your computer.
1. Click on the System Tray icon and this should reveal the Skype Icon.
2. Next, right click on the Skype icon and click on the Exit option.
This will stop Skype For Business from running in Background and using up resources on your Computer.
Stop Skype From Opening Automatically in Windows 10
Although, you have stopped Skype from Running in Background for now, you need to be aware that both Skype Desktop App and Skype For Business will be starting automatically, the next time you start your Computer.
After booting up your Computer, Skype App will once again continue to run in the background and you will have to go through the steps to Stop Skype from running in background on your computer.
Hence, a better approach would be to prevent Skype from opening automatically on your computer using steps as provided in this guide: How to Stop Skype From Starting Automatically in Windows 10.