Skype Portable 4.2.0.152 has been released. Skype lets you connect to others via instant message, audio conferencing and video phone. It can also call regular phone lines from anywhere in the world. This release updates Skype to the latest version and has an improved launcher. It's packaged as a portable app so you communicate on the go and it's in PortableApps.com Format so it can easily integrate with the PortableApps.com Suite. It's released as freeware for personal and business use.
Features
Skype-to-Skype calls, video calls and instant messaging are free, any time of the day or night, anywhere in the world. Call phones and mobiles and send SMS messages at great value Pay As You Go rates, or call unlimited* to certain countries with a subscription.
- Free Skype-to-Skype calls.
- Call phones and mobiles, send SMS.
- Free instant messaging.
- Voicemail.
- Free video call.
- Forward calls to a phone when you’re offline.
PortableApps.com Installer / PortableApps.com Format
Skype Portable is packaged in a PortableApps.com Installer so it will automatically detect an existing PortableApps.com installation when your drive is plugged in. It supports upgrades by installing right over an existing copy, preserving all settings. And it's in PortableApps.com Format, so it automatically works with the PortableApps.com Suite including the Menu and Backup Utility.
Download
Skype Portable is available for immediate download from the Skype Portable homepage. Get it today!
Portableapps.com is not affiliated with Skype. Skype is a trademark of Skype Technologies SA.
Comments
I like how Feb 24 comes after
I like how Feb 24 comes after Mar 3 on the front page.
Fixed
Fixed thanks.
Warning for Window's 7 users
If you install this version of Skype on Windows 7 you will not be able to close the taskbar icon while Skype is running. This is no fault on the portable app installer, it is a "feature" of Skype 4.2.
Anyway, it is incredibly annoying. Fortunately it was really easy to roll back using the portable app
Hopefully they will fix this soon.
Most Apps
Most apps will be doing this on Windows 7 due to Windows 7's hobbled system tray (which hides icons by default, breaking with the all previous Windows versions) and due to the fact that Windows 7's task bar icons are quite small (compared to previous versions) so you don't really need to 'save space' by sticking something in the system tray. I think you'll see most apps that use the system tray currently switching to this setup under Windows 7. Either way, it's not a bug, it's a 'feature'. And with Windows 7, we'll basically be saying 'the system tray is dead'.
Use compatibility mode to hide from Win 7 taskbar
In Windows 7 you can easily hide the app from the taskbar. First quit the running app, then navigate to the location of your Skype application itself, right-click to get the Properties window. On the Compatibility tab set the program to run under the compatibility mode for Vista (with SP2 if you wish). Since Vista did not have the unwanted taskbar behavior, the change to compatibility produces the desired effect of minimizing the latest Skype to the notification area/tray.