Microsoft swaps Skype over to Electron on Windows 10

Microsoft rolled out an update to Skype on Windows 10 today (via Neowin). The update brings Skype to version 8.61 (Windows 10 Version 15) and includes several new features.

The latest version of Skype on Windows 10 supports up to nine people in a video telephone call, background replacement, and several other improvements. While some will be happy with the change, others volition exist frustrated considering the latest version of Skype for Windows 10 is an Electron app. Electron apps frequently take up more RAM and system resources than React Native counterparts, such as the previous version of Skype. Office of the reason Skype moved to Electron is because Microsoft is combining Skype for Windows ten and Skype for Desktop. The move allows them to be updated together.

Microsoft updated an answers post today that announces the rollout of Skype 8.61. The post too links to a Skype FAQ page that breaks downward the app'southward new features. Hither'southward what's new in Skype version 8.61:

Updated shut options so yous tin quit Skype or stop it from starting automatically

Improved Tray icon, informing y'all about new messages and presence status

Share files directly from your File Explorer

nine videos in a video call

Background Replacement

Moderated Chats

Meet Now Improvements

Improved Call Controls

Insiders first saw this modify in March, but the new version is at present rolling out to everyone. Skype's move from React Native to Electron is the reverse of what the Xbox squad is doing. In dissimilarity to Skype's motion, Microsoft's Xbox app recently switched from Electron to React Native, which resulted in better operation and a smaller download size. It'southward unclear if Skype's switch in the contrary direction volition yield worse performance, only it's worth noting the opposing directions.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more than.

New Windows 11 preview build brings improved taskbar for touch users

New build!

New Windows 11 preview build brings improved taskbar for bear on users

It'south time for another Windows 11 preview build, and this calendar week is some other big one. Today'southward build is 22563 and features even more taskbar improvements, this time for tablet users. Microsoft is introducing a new auto-hide Taskbar interface that'due south similar to the touch-first taskbar that was first introduced on Windows 10X and the Surface Neo.