Skype cannot be installed on Windows. Why Skype won't install on your computer

The process of adding new software to a computer - what could be simpler? Years of practiced skills scream about the futility of the proposed procedure. But danger awaits you, since installation errors are quite common. Today we'll talk about why Skype won't install, let's look at several reasons for this.

Common mistakes when installing Skype

The occurrence of problems is largely characterized by the individual characteristics of the machine and its user. Since conditions and technical equipment vary, it is quite difficult to identify common errors. But, if you were unable to install Skype, there are some further considerations here.

Error 1638

Automatic system updates or manual transition to a new version are accompanied by the addition of new components. At this stage, error 1638 may occur when installing Skype.

The reasons for its occurrence are not known exactly, but there are several guesses:

virus activity or desktop system malfunctions;
incomplete installation or uninstallation of a previous version of Skype. This is accompanied by damage to registry entries and executive files.

The second option seems more plausible, but before taking active steps, make sure there is no virus software.

So, to resolve the error you need to:

First thing delete the application. Read more about this process.
Clean the registry. This can be done in two ways - use one of the popular programs for these purposes (for example CCleaner) or run a special utility from Microsoft, which automatically corrects system files and the system registry if there are errors in it.
Download and install.

Thus, the above error should disappear, but no one can cancel the individual characteristics of a personal computer.

Error 1603

Another type of problem that arises during the installation of the Skype messenger. Through trial and error, we were able to determine that the cause of the problem was incorrect writing of files to the PC registry.

To resolve error 1603 during installation, simply follow the steps below:

If reinstalling the messenger did not help, try the following:

Follow this link and download the app installation troubleshooter. The program is intuitive, during the process you need to select what the installation problem is being solved and select the application in which the error occurs.
It would be a good idea to clean the entire system of debris; this can be done using the CCleaner utility.
Download the latest version of the messenger from the official website and try installing it.

Error 1601

The problem is observed among Windows XP users and, according to everyone, occurs due to errors in the New Components Installation service.

Failure code 1601 can be resolved in two simple steps:

At this point, the problem should resolve itself; to check, download the latest version of Skype.

The collected material is based on a thorough study of materials from the Internet; the individual characteristics of the current machine are not taken into account.

Instead of a conclusion

Errors when installing Skype are a rare occurrence that occurs due to damage to the accompanying registry files. To troubleshoot problems, just clean the storage from outdated files and update the system.

Skype is the most popular instant messenger for work and personal communication, if we talk about desktop applications. Almost everyone has it, so you can contact anyone through it. But what to do if for some reason Skype is not installed on your computer? Why does this error occur? And how to fix it?

Reason 1: Firewall is blocking

We have already written about that. But the installation process is not always easy.

Sometimes you can't install Skype because Windows Firewall thinks it's malware and blocks it. To check whether this is true or not, disable the firewall and try installing Skype again. To do this, find the “Windows Firewall” folder in the search or in the control panel and enter it.

Now, in the right panel, select “Turn firewall on or off.”

And in the window that opens, mark the “Disable firewall” items with dots and save the changes by clicking on the “OK” button.

Now you can re-run the Skype installation file. If the problem really was in the firewall, the program will install easily.

Reason 2: system problems are interfering

Sometimes errors occur in the system, which lead to problems in its operation. In particular, they prevent Skype from being installed. What to do if such errors occur? And how to detect them?
To correct such situations, there is a reliable and proven program - CCleaner. It helps to permanently remove unnecessary files from your computer and also clears browser caches. You can download CCleaner from the official website - https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner. To download the free version, follow the link and click on the green button.

After this, the download will begin. You will need to run the downloaded file and install CCleraner following the instructions. When the program is installed, feel free to run it.

When you open CCleaner, you will need to find the “Registry” tab (if you have the English version - “Registry”) and click on the “Scan for issues” button.

Now you need to wait until the program detects problems that require correction. This is usually not very long - the scan time depends on the number of problems and the speed of your computer. When the check is completed, the bar at the top will be filled to 100% and the “Fix” button will become active. Click on it to start the troubleshooting process.

The program will prompt you to make a backup copy of the registry before making corrections. Click Yes so that if an error occurs, you can rollback your changes.

Once the system errors are corrected, try restarting your computer and running the Skype installation process again. If you still cannot install Skype, then try the methods from the next section.

Problem installing the Skype plugin

Another installation issue that Skype users may experience is the inability to install the Skype Click to Call plugin. To solve this problem, follow the instructions:

Click the “Start” button and type “cmd” (without quotes) into the search bar.
Find “cmd” in the search results, right-click on it and run it as administrator.
Type “net localgroup /add Users” (without quotes) and press Enter.

After that, try installing the plugin again.

If you can't install on Android

Another common problem with installing Skype occurs among users of Android devices. When they try to install an application from Google Play, they receive a message that their device does not have enough memory. Although in reality there is enough space not only to install Skype, but also for 10 more programs.

In this case, clearing the cache or a more radical method - resetting the phone to factory settings usually helps. The latter is fraught with the loss of all information, including the phone book. So before resetting your settings, be sure to back up your device.

Here are the main issues that may be preventing you from installing Skype on your device. We hope that among the solution options you found one that solved exactly your problem, and now you can freely exchange messages with interesting interlocutors.

Low-power computers can only ever use limited resources. It is no wonder that the latest versions of programs are so eager to consume as much memory and space as possible that operating systems such as Windows XP simply cannot run them normally. For example, Skype, which everyone needs, is difficult to load even at the start, because there are a huge number of advertising blocks. However, installing Windows XP on a low-power computer is a completely sensible decision, since old or weak hardware components cannot cope with the requirements of modern applications.

Is it even worth downloading modern versions of applications onto your computer? If you think about it, most users force their devices to work just to upload heavy photos to social networks as quickly as possible. Of course, if these photos attract several thousand visitors per week, then such power will come in handy. But doing this for several people is completely questionable. Thus, we come to the conclusion that you can absolutely safely buy a used computer on the secondary market, install the good old Windows XP operating system on it and enjoy the performance of the old version of the software.

Where to find

The global network is literally replete with advertisements where the old version of the convenient Skype program is available. Just type in the search “Skype installation old version”, after which the search engine will display a whole canvas of resources. You should be careful not to get malicious software on your computer. Any antivirus that is able to detect suspicious code will help with this. Also, such resources cannot do without unnecessary advertising, which offers not only to install Skype, but also to buy additional equipment. Everyone decides for themselves in this matter whether they need to buy additional goods or not.

Preliminary preparation

If, God forbid, Skype begins to act up, for example, refuses to connect to the network or does not load the list of contacts that was there before, then you need to reserve two files in advance. This:

shared.xml – network connection file,
config.xml – contact storage file.

In this easy way, it is possible to get rid of some problems that the old version of Skype can cause. It is enough to transfer these files to the Skype installation folder, and the Internet will work and contacts will be downloaded.

Installation Features

In order to correctly install the old version of Skype on Windows XP, you need:

First, delete all versions of Skype on your computer; you also need to erase all files that are in any way related to Skype. This is done so that the program cannot find out which version was previously installed on the computer. This will prevent her from updating to the current version of Skype.
Next, it is advisable to install version of Skype 2.5, so that based on it you can already update to any other version. Can be installed on a typical system drive C.
Launch Skype 2.5 so that it creates a favorable environment for installing the application of more recent variations.
Next, you need to download exactly the Skype that you plan to use on Windows XP. In theory, it should be installed on top of version 2.5.
If you have problems connecting or loading your contact list, you need to transfer the pre-prepared shared.xml and config.xml files.

Why is all this needed?

Some users absolutely do not like the functionality of modern Skype. This applies not only to poor adaptability under Windows XP. You can continue to endure this chaos with pop-up ads and slow loading, or you can take a radical approach and install a previous version of Skype. Moreover, older computers may not be able to handle modern GUI-heavy applications. Therefore, it is useful to simply install Windows XP on the machine and, without straining, use alternative applications or programs with the old interface, without suffering from the slow operation of the system. The key to the success of fast work is not only powerful hardware, but also well-thought-out software. By cleaning and tuning your computer in a timely manner, you can easily achieve the desired performance without resorting to significant financial investments.

Skype on undemanding Windows XP is just the beginning. Then you can adapt other applications that are necessary for each user. For example, it is worth considering using Word 2003, which does not eat up resources on Windows XP and other older operating systems as much as its subsequent versions do. You should also try the operating system's minimum graphics settings. All these procedures greatly simplify and improve work on the computer. So not only traditional Skype, but also all other useful applications will become fast.

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It is one of the most popular instant messengers today, as evidenced by the billion downloads in the App Store. Many people use this convenient program not only to communicate with friends, but also as a business connection, to maintain contact with colleagues and partners. However, it happens that Skype is not installed on the device. With what it can be connected?

If you have already used the messenger on your computer or smartphone, but for some reason you need to reinstall it, then first you need to delete the old version and all files that may have remained on the system. A special utility will perform this operation quickly and reliably. Among the most common programs created for this purpose are CCleaner. The utility is free and easy to use. After launching it, you need to click on the “Cleaning” button, and residual files from previous installations of the application will be automatically found and deleted. Next, you need to try installing Skype again and check if the problem is resolved.

Another reason why Skype is not installed on Windows may be that an antivirus or firewall is blocking the installation, considering the application to be malicious. If the program was downloaded from the official website or other reliable source, then you will simply need to disable the antivirus during installation. This is done in the program settings and depends on its type. If your device is running a download management application, it is also recommended to disable it. After installing the messenger, the programs can be activated again.

In some cases, the reason that Skype does not install is that there is a software conflict or the technical requirements of the application do not match the device being used. In such a situation, installing an earlier version of Skype helps. On the developers' website you can only download the updated program. But on various software resources you can find and install the old version of the messenger. The disadvantage of this method is the lack of technical support from developers.

Another effective solution to the problem is to use the Portable program. To do this, download the boot file to removable media and work in the program when convenient. In addition, the developers introduced . In order to use it, you need to go to the Skype page and enter the username and password for your account. Since this version is currently undergoing beta testing, its functions are still quite limited. However, it is quite possible that in the future it will be no worse than the desktop version of the application.

If installation files are downloaded to a network drive, problems may arise with installing the program. Therefore, when downloading, you should make sure that the data is saved on the device’s hard drive. Files must be uploaded to a folder to which the user has full access (Documents or Desktop).

Before starting installation, it is recommended to make sure that your connection to the Internet is stable. If all the methods do not help and Skype does not install, you should check whether problems arise when installing other applications. It is likely that the cause is an operating system failure. Then you will need to solve problems that arise in Windows. If your computer is infected with malware, errors may appear when installing new utilities.

The Windows 7 operating system has been repeatedly named the best after its “popular” predecessor - Windows XP. However, sometimes users who switch to Seven sometimes encounter such a problem that Skype won't install on Windows 7. What can be done in this case?

What to do if Skype is not installed onWindows 7

First of all, you need to check whether the latest version of Skype is installed on your computer and update it if necessary.

After all, due to the transition to a new operating system, all other applications will need to be updated. In the vast majority of cases, installation failure is associated precisely with the need to update Skype.

However, this only applies to those cases if the installation took place from an old distribution. You can always download the updated version of Skype from our website.

A possible cause of the problem is lack of free space on the hard drive. However, Skype is a very compact program. The likelihood that the hard drive will be so full that there are not a hundred free megabytes left on it is extremely small. However, this possibility should not be excluded either.

In addition, it would be a good idea to look at the text of errors that may pop up. For example, if the error “Could not find or download Microsoft Installer” appears, then the solution is to update the Internet Explorer 11 browser.

If the problem occurs when using the online installer, then we can recommend downloading the Full installer, also known as the offline installer. However, during the installation itself, it is recommended to turn off the Internet connection.

It is possible that the installed antivirus is blocking the Full installer. There is no need to disable the antivirus, you just need to configure the appropriate permissions.

If Skype doesn't launch onWindows 7

However, it may also be that Skype does not start on Windows 7, although it is installed successfully.

Here, just as in the case of the previous problem, it is difficult to say anything concrete “behind the scenes”. However, the most common errors and problems can still be listed:

No connection to the Internet, or too weak a connection. As a rule, it is for this reason that Skype refuses to work;
We can also recommend updating Skype to the latest version. This is especially true in the case of switching to Seven through an update, and not through a complete installation;
You should check for updates to both the video driver and audio drivers;
It would also be a good idea to check whether Skype is blocked by an antivirus program or firewall.

If any specific error messages appear, you will need to “dig” in this direction. For example, if an error appears about the missing .dll file, it means that you need to download a special cumulative update, or update components such as the Net Framework or Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, as well as DirectX.

A universal solution is to uninstall Skype, completely clear the system and registry of everything that belongs to its previous version, and then install the latest release from the official source.

To clean the system of “garbage” and optimize the registry, today it is not at all necessary to study thick books and bow to a computer guru. You can simply use the CCleaner utility or a similar program.

Finally, we can advise you to check the application settings for connected video and audio devices.

Skype cannot be installed on Windows. Why Skype won't install on your computer - there are simple solutions