Windows – How to run old good classic Skype 7.41.0.101 after January 2019

skypeskype-for-windows-10windows 10

Until recently, it was possible to refuse Microsoft's offers to update Skype 7.41.0.101 to version 8.X.

But since today, when I try to run Skype 7 on Windows 10, it starts for just a few seconds, then closes and pops up a window that offers to either update it to the 'crippled' Skype 8, or exit it.
All the methods published in Prevent Skype popup asking to upgrade? (In 2019) are no longer working.

Does anyone know what to do?

I don't want to upgrade to Skype 8 or downgrade to earlier unsafe versions of Skype prior 7.41)*

Some background:

  • On my second computer, the same version of Skype with the same account had worked 3 days longer before the mandatory update requirement appeared. On my third computer, the same version of Skype still continues to work fine.
  • An old version 7.36 with disabled updates continues to run fine everywhere.
  • Apparently, the problem is caused by a forced update of the Skype's update checker. This may explain the non-simultaneous occurrence of the problem on different computers.

Best Answer

Follow instructions here. Install 7.36 first, then upgrade to 7.41.

Update: You should disable the 7.41 update feature in the following way:

  • Replace Skype8 installer from %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Temp\SkypeSetup.exe by installer of Skype7.
  • Make file read-only and deny access of your user to this file (requires admin rights).
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