Which Skype for Windows 7

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  1. Posts : 1,002
    XP Pro (x86) | 7 HP (x86) & (x64) | 7 Pro (x64)
    Thread Starter
       #11

    Thanks NoelDP and crankypenguin :) :)

    Your posts have cleared up some concerns I had.
    Unfortunately the Skype web site is not very clear about anything. Jargon is understood by the converted but not by newbies like me.

    QUESTION:
    Skype is installed but it opens every time I boot/reboot.
    I am tempted to just remove it from Startup, but I am not sure if that is a safe move.
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  2. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #12

    Perfectly safe to do that

    When you need it, just open as you normally would.
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  3. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #13

    There is an option within Skype to either start or not start when you log into Windows - that option is what you need to use.

    Personally, I've found that every time Skype updates, it resets it to start with Windows, whatever your previous settings - it's one of my pet gripes, but takes 10 seconds to reset so I haven't bitched about it yet.
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  4. Posts : 1,002
    XP Pro (x86) | 7 HP (x86) & (x64) | 7 Pro (x64)
    Thread Starter
       #14

    NoelDP said:
    I only use it for long-distance (international) calls as a rule - my sister lives in Sardinia, so I can use it for a video call to her for free. I also use it if there's going to be a long national call, as it's a lot cheaper than my mobile phone, even allowing for the data-drain on my 3G dongle. It's also handy on my mobile phone if I'm in an area with no coverage, but a Wi-Fi signal I can get at, or if the PAYG credit on the phone has run out.
    Our phones do not have internet connection. Purely for calls and text.

    I only want video-call for my son in Japan and my brother in (MA) USA.
    My brother has been in USA for 45 years, we are close.

    Noted your alert about Skype-updates re-enabling startup too. Thanks. :)
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  5. Posts : 1,002
    XP Pro (x86) | 7 HP (x86) & (x64) | 7 Pro (x64)
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Golden +1

    I opted to stop startup-pest using Skype options.
    NoelDP advised Skype updates undo startup settings.
    I hope I can over-ride automatic Skype-updates and update manually.

    Thanks again for your advice :)
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  6. Posts : 1,002
    XP Pro (x86) | 7 HP (x86) & (x64) | 7 Pro (x64)
    Thread Starter
       #16

    Thanks crankypenguin :)

    I have altered the "Privacy" settings as per your suggestions.
    Q1: The last three check boxes ? I am not sure what to do with them, enable or disable.
    . . . . For other newbies when I get these basic settings sorted I will post everything I have done and why

    Each "Learn More" link leads to a lawyers dream ... of complexity.
    1. I will only be using Skype for one-to-one video contacts.
    2. On Skype Privacy Policy web page (ie Learn more about "cookies") ... I am concerned about my Your User Profile ... particularly ...
      ... Skype username, full name, address, telephone and mobile numbers, gender, date of birth, country, language, “about me” page URL, and any other information that you decide to make available.

    I do not want my personal details shared/forwarded to anybody -- particularly ...full name, address, telephone and mobile numbers, gender, date of birth, country, language, “about me”.
    "Analytical services" in 3: Our disclosure of your personal information appears to be whitewash for intrusion.

    "[x] Accept Skype browser cookies" setting appears to represent a lot of background stuff and some of my major concerns.
    I assume Cookies are required for making video-call connections and maintaining those connections ?
    If so, not a lot of options other than to accept cookies.
    Q2: Would Skype's video calls be hindered if cookies are disabled ?
    Q3: I would prefer to manually update Skype if that is possible ?
    With Windows updates, AV updating every 2 hours, Skype updates ... my laptop will go into a coma when least convenient.
    (I have Windows and AV updates set to manual updating
    I would strongly advise others to read Skype Privacy Policy because topics #3, #4 and #5 include links for disabling/modifying some of the intrusions.
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  7. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #17

    If you don't want data shared, simply don't enter it - and set your privacy levels to the highest allowed.
    There is no internet service of any kind which doesn't require at least some identifying data - and in a lot of countries, such data is legally required to be stored for a period of time.
    You can set Skype not to update automatically - check out the Options within the Tools section, again (Advanced > Automatic Updates)

    By default...
    Updates for Windows are checked every day at boot as soon as an internet connection is established, and again at roughly 24-hour intervals. It takes only a second or two to do the check. If updates are found, then they are downloaded as a low-priority process which will wait until the machine has a lot of free time available before actually working. The Updates themselves are installed either on shutdown, or at the next fixed time set in the AU options.
    Windows Security updates are released generally once a month on the Second Tuesday of each month - optional updates are release on the 4th Tuesday.

    AV daily updates should take no more than a few seconds to download, and less than a minute to install. If it takes longer than that, then you're probably dealing with an engine update, rather than the daily one.

    Skype updates require UAC to install, and as such they are always totally under your control - and only come out every few weeks anyhow. Checking for the update takes less than a second. Downloading it depends a lot on your connection speed, but it's a 35MB (roughly) file every time at present.

    In short, the chances of any of the updates taking significant resources are negligible, except when installing Windows Updates. The chances of then all happening at the same time are vanishingly small - and any modern system is quite capable of dealing with them.
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