14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is moving Skype to a completely new infrastructure that enables the firm to expand the feature lineup of its VoIP client, and as part of this transition it is retiring old clients that can no longer cope with today’s requirements.
The company has already launched a modern version of Skype (still in alpha stage) for Linux, so it was believed that the old client, currently at version 4.3, would be retired.
And yet, it turns out that this isn’t the case, and as WinAero reports, the old Skype 4.3 for Linux will continue working even beyond the March 1 deadline that Microsoft announced recently.
Even though some customers received emails recommending an update to the alpha client of Skype before March 1, it appears that Microsoft plans to continue supporting the old version of the application, though it’s not known for how long.
The March 1 deadline
Microsoft community managers have confirmed on Skype forums that this is indeed the plan, so Skype 4.3 for Linux wouldn’t be retired at the end of this month.
“The only builds about to be retired are in the above blog post and quoted above. We have no plans to retire any other builds at this time,” a message posted by community manager Allen S. reads.
After March 1, Windows users need to run at least Skype 7.16 to be able to connect to the service, while macOS systems have to update to at least Skype 7.18. Linux users can continue running both the classic 4.3 version and the alpha build that’s currently in the works.
We’ve reached out to Microsoft to ask for more information on its plans for Skype for Linux and to find out when version 4.3 is projected to be retired and we’ll update the article when an answer is provided. In the meantime, you can use any of them, although there’s no doubt that Microsoft hopes you’ll give a try to its new modern version that’s now in alpha development stage.