How to record Skype calls on Windows 10

How-to
By Mauro Huculak
last updated

Skype has an option to record meetings as well as family moments, and in this guide, we'll show you the steps to do this.

Skype call recording option
Skype call recording option (Image credit: Windows Central)

On Windows 10, Skype comes with an option to record calls directly from the app, which can come in handy in many situations. For instance, if you work from home or another location and you want to capture a presentation or meeting, study group discussions or lectures, or family moments that you want to keep forever.

The recording option is straightforward on Windows 10 or any supported platform, and you can use to record Skype to Skype voice and video calls with a maximum duration of 24 hours. The recording happens in the cloud, which means that local storage is not necessary. When the recording starts, everyone in the call will get a notification that the call is being recorded. Also, Skype will capture all the user streams as well as any screen sharing available in the session.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to record a Skype call as well as the steps to download and save the recording on your device and delete the Skype recording.

How to record voice or video call on Skype

To record a Skype call on Windows 10, use these steps:

Important: Before proceeding, make sure to let the people in the call know that you'll start a recording. When using this feature, you'll be uploading the recording to the Microsoft servers, where it'll stay for at least 30 days. Also, this feature is only available to record Skype to Skype calls.

  1. Open Skype.
  2. Select a person from your contact list.
  3. Click the Video call or Audio call button to start the session.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the menu (three-dotted) button from the bottom-right corner.
  2. Select the Start recording option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the menu (three-dotted) button from the bottom-right corner.Quick note: You can also click the Stop recording option from the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Select the Stop recording option.

Once you complete the steps, Skype will start recording the call, whether you're using voice or video.

How to download voice or video recording on Skype

After you stop the recording, the conversation will automatically appear in the Skype chat timeline for anyone in the call to review it. However, recordings are only available for 30 days, so if you want to keep it, you'll need to download the file manually.

To download a Skype recording, use these steps:

  1. Open Skype.
  2. Select the conversation from the "Recent Chats" section on the left.
  3. Hover over the recording to unveil the menu button.
  4. Click the menu (three-dotted) button from the top-right.
  5. Select the Save as option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Select the folder destination.
  2. Specify a descriptive name for the file. For example, "work_presentation_april_2020."
  3. Click the Save button.

After you complete the steps, the Skype recording will save as an MP4 file, which you can play with virtually any media player.

If you're planning to distribute the recording with the call attendees, you can use the Photos app to trim and edit the video file.

How to delete voice or video recording on Skype

To delete the Skype recording, use these steps:

  1. Open Skype.
  2. Select the conversation from the "Recent Chats" section on the left.
  3. Hover over the recording to unveil the menu button.
  4. Click the menu (three-dotted) button from the top-right.
  5. Select the Remove button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Remove button again.

Once you complete the steps, the recording should no longer be available from the Skype chat history.

We're focusing this guide on Windows 10, but the recording feature should be available on all supported platforms, including macOS, iOS, and Android.

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.