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How To Download and Install the latest version of Skype on my Dell Ubuntu Computer

Summary: The following article provides information about the Skype application. It is free to use software that allows you to make calls over the Internet using your laptop, tablet, or desktop. It includes voice and video conferencing calls. We show how to download and install it on a Dell laptop or desktop using the Ubuntu operating system. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

Table of Contents:

  1. What is Skype and why would you install it on a Dell laptop or desktop running Ubuntu?
  2. How to remove any previous versions of Skype
  3. How to install the latest version of Skype for your Ubuntu version

 

What is Skype and why would you install it on a Dell laptop or desktop running Ubuntu?

 

Skype is free to use Software from Microsoft that allows you to make calls over the Internet using your laptop, tablet, or desktop. This includes voice and video conferencing. It is useful for both personal and business needs.

While Microsoft has made Skype available for free to Linux users. (In addition to it main customer base who uses the Windows operating systems.) The software is not open source and is proprietary to the Microsoft corporation. They provide a download link as this software is not available on Ubuntu by default. It is always a good idea to keep updating to the latest revision as it becomes available.

This guide takes you through getting rid of any previous versions on your device. Which you should do when installing the latest version available for your version of Ubuntu.

Note: Be aware this article only deals with Skype, not Skype for Business (Formerly Lync). Skype for Business is part of the Microsoft Office Suite.

Cause

How to remove any previous versions of Skype

 

Note: Do you have an older version of Skype that is installed on your laptop or desktop? You must remember and clear the old Skype folder before installing the latest version on your device.

For platforms running 14.04:

  1. Run the following removal commands from Terminal. (The CTRL+ALT+DEL keyboard shortcut opens Terminal in most Ubuntu builds)

    Sudo apt-get remove skype skype-bin:i386 skype:i386
    Sudo apt-get install sni-qt:i386

  2. Remove the old Skype folder using the command:

    rm -rf ~/.Skype

For platforms running 16.04 and newer:

  1. The first step is to open Synaptic Package Manager and search for Skype.

  2. Right-click it and select Mark for Removal or Mark for Complete Removal.

  3. Apply the changes.

Resolution

How to install the latest version of Skype for your Ubuntu version

 

The Skype download was added to the Snap Store in version 16.04 and continues with more recent versions. Support for Skype began with version 14.04.

Download and install Skype from Snap Shop

(Figure.1 Snap Shop)

The Skype download is as always still available from the Skype Website.

Download Skype for Linux website

(Figure.2 Skype Website)

Note: At the time of writing this article Skype 4.3 was retired on the July 1, 2017 and is no longer available or supported.

For platforms running 14.04

 

The capability to install from snaps commands was only supported on 14.04, but the Graphical User Interface (UI) is not. Use the following instructions:

  1. Open a terminal window.

    • The keyboard shortcut CTRL+ALT+DELETE opens the terminal in most Ubuntu builds.

  2. Type in the following commands followed by pressing the Enter key after each line:

    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install snapd
    sudo snap install skype --classic

The default way to install Skype is to go to their own download page:

  1. Open an Internet browser and go to the Skype website This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

  2. Download the Linux DEB file.

  3. You can double-click the file or right click on the file and select open with Software Center and click Install.

  4. You can use Search or pin the application to the sidebar for future use.

For platforms 16.04 and newer

 

The next few steps take you through installing Skype as a snap package from the Snap Store:

  1. Open the Snap Store:

    • Open an Internet browser and go to the Snap Store This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

    • Or you can open the Ubuntu Software Center

  2. You can search for the Skype package or select it from the featured apps.

  3. Double-Click on the Skype icon to install the package.

The following instructions take you through installing from snaps using terminal commands:

  1. Open a terminal window.

    • The keyboard shortcut CTRL+ALT+DELETE opens the terminal in most Ubuntu builds.

  2. Type in the following commands followed by pressing the Enter key after each line:

    sudo apt install snapd
    sudo snap install skype --classic

The default way to install Skype is to go to their own download page:

  1. Open an Internet browser and go to the Skype website This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

  2. Download the Linux DEB file.

  3. You can double-click the file or right click on the file and select open with Software Center and click Install.

  4. You can use Search or pin the application to the sidebar for future use.

Additional Information

Note: Software support is by Canonical through the following methods:
Dell provides Technical Support:

Affected Products

Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Fixed Workstations
Article Properties
Article Number: 000131644
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 01 Feb 2024
Version:  8
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