By default, when Skype is running it appears in both the taskbar and the system tray at the bottom of your screen.

If you close the Skype window by clicking X, it still appears in both.

To remove it from both the taskbar and the system tray, right click the Skype icon in the system tray and select Quit. This completely closes the application and signs you out, which means you will no longer receive instant messages or calls to your Skype account.

You can change your settings so that Skype is removed from the taskbar when you close the application window by clicking X. This doesn’t sign you out, so you can still receive calls and instant messages while Skype runs in the background. You will still receive notifications for any IMs you receive in the system tray.

To do this:

1. Sign in to Skype.
2. Select Tools then Options.

3. Select Advanced then Advanced Settings.
4. Remove the tick from the box next to Keep Skype in the taskbar while I’m signed in.

Now every time you close the application window, Skype should no longer display in the taskbar. If it does, then you may have to change the program properties. To do this:

• On Windows 7/Vista
• On Windows XP

On Windows 7/Vista

1. Click the Start menu:

2. Select Computer.
3. Open Local Disk (C:)
4. Select Program Files.
5. Locate and open the folder named Skype.
6. Open Phone.
7. Right-click Skype.exe and select Properties.
8. Remove the tick from the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode:

On Windows XP

1. Click the Start menu.
2. Select My Computer.
3. Open Local Disk (C:)
4. Select Program Files.
5. Locate and open the folder named Skype.
6. Open Phone.
7. Right-click Skype.exe and select Properties.
8. On the Compatibility tab, remove the tick from the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode.