How to Add Skype to Laptops

By Matt McGew

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Skype is a voice over Internet Protocol (VOiP) telephone service that allows you to make and receive calls over the Internet on your computer. Skype offers both free and paid services. Free Skype services include the ability to make and receive calls on your computer to and from other Skype members, instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing. With Skype's paid services, you can get a local telephone number for your computer that people can call from a traditional land or cellular telephone, and you can also call regular land or cellular telephone numbers from your computer's Skype application.

Step 1

Open your laptop's Web browser and download the Skype program for your computer. You can find a link to download Skype in the resources section of this article.

Step 2

Click on the green "Download now" button. Wait for the Skype program to download and install on your laptop. When the download is complete you will have a new Skype icon on your desktop. Click on the Skype icon.

Step 3

Click on the link "Don't have a Skype Name?" Type the Skype Name you want to create in the blank Skype name field and then type and confirm a password for your Skype account. Type your email address in the appropriate field. Check the box that says "Yes, I have read and I accept the Skype End User License Agreement, the Skype Terms of Service and the Skype Privacy Statement." Click "Create." If the Skype name you selected is not available, Skype will prompt you to create a new Skype name.

Step 4

Wait while Skype logs you in to the Skype service. Your Skype application is now set up on your laptop and ready to use.

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