Portable Skype. How to create portable Skype for Windows

Thanks to its functionality, clear interface and a lot of interesting options, Skype has become one of the most popular communication utilities. Using the application, you can not only send text messages and make calls, but also send documents, organize conferences, share your home screen, take photos and much more. The creators have adapted the program for all popular operating systems: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, WP. The user can also use Skype portable or the web version of the utility.

Program features

Approximately 500 million users worldwide use Skype. Users appreciated the capabilities of the application, created back in 2003. The program is actively developing, new functions are appearing, old options are being improved, errors and bugs are being eliminated. So what can she do?

  • Send messages.
  • Send a variety of files. The user can send important documentation, a photo, a video, a song, etc. via Skype.
  • Create conferences. The application allows you to arrange group calls, which can include up to 25 people. Users can also create a video conference (limit up to 10 people).
  • Show screen. The option allows you to arrange presentations or show how the product works.
  • Take photos. The user can film not only himself, but also a friend during video communication.
  • Forward contacts.

Note: The portable version of the utility is absolutely no different from the regular Skype client.

Features and use of Skype Portable

The portable Skype client has all the features. The only difference is the lack of an update option. The portable version allows you to work with Skype without installing it on your computer. Instead of the usual installer, the user downloads an already installed utility, which can be transferred to removable media. To use the utility, you only need to connect the flash drive to your PC, launch Skype and enter your personal data.

Unfortunately, there is no portable program on the official resource, so you will have to turn to third-party resources. The user needs:


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Portable programs(also known as portable, standalone or portable) are programs that run without the need for installation and save all the necessary settings in the same location as the executable file. Thanks to this, portable programs can be stored and run on removable media (for example, flash drives).

By and large, Skype for Windows also supports portable mode, and in this article I want to show how to make portable Skype yourself using the official installer. I also wrote a ready-made script that allows you to create and launch portable Skype.


File size:

4.5 KB

File name:

skype_portable_rus.vbs

Creation date:

March 20, 2017

Downloads:

2 751

How to use "skype_portable_rus.vbs"?


  • Thanks to this script you can. If you follow the instructions, first download and extract files version 7.17.0.104, after which - 6.1.999.130. Now in our folder we have two shortcuts: Login _7.30.0.105 and Login _6.1.999.130. Of course, this way we can create portable versions for any version of Skype.
  • If you have several Skype accounts, you can run them simultaneously: run the “skype_portable_rus.vbs” script by double-clicking, enter the Skype version and your login. Now another shortcut will be created in this folder. Thus, you can create an unlimited number of such shortcuts and if you run them, they will all work.
  • After you have extracted the installer files, you can safely delete the installer so that it does not take up space in vain. All extracted versions are located in the versions folder. If a version is no longer needed, manually delete the folder with the version number.
  • All correspondence (including files transferred via Skype) is located in the appdata folder with your login. If your chat history is very important to you, make sure to periodically back up your profile.
  • If you are going to use portable Skype on a flash drive, before disconnecting the flash drive, close Skype from the system tray and wait 20-30 seconds.

How does the script work?

For those who are interested in technical details: if you know VBScript, you can analyze the source code of the script, but here I want to briefly describe how the script works. So, our little script performs three functions:
  1. Retrieves installer files
    supports a special key that allows you to extract files in a separate folder without initiating the installation process. For example, this is done like this:
    %cd%\skype_7.33.0.105.exe /extractonly:"%temp%\skype_portable"

    After extraction, only files from \Program Files\Skype\Phone are copied to the %cd%\versions\7.33.0.105 folder, and %temp%\skype_portable is deleted.

  2. Saves the shortcut
    In fact, it would be easier to use scripts rather than shortcuts. However, people are used to seeing the Skype icon, so they chose a more complicated path. Depending on the specified login and version of Skype, each shortcut executes the following command:
    "%windir%\System32\cmd.exe" /c start /min /d. cscript.exe "skype_portable_rus.vbs" " Login" "7.33.0.105"

    That is, the shortcut stores the specified login and version, and when launched, transfers them to the script so that it “knows” what exactly needs to be launched.

  3. Launches portable Skype
    When the script receives a login and version, it first finds out if the given login is already running. If this is the case, it simply shows the Skype window (after all, there is no point in launching the same login again). Otherwise, launches Skype using the following:
    "%cd%\versions\7.33.0.105\Skype.exe" /username:" Login" /removable /secondary /datapath:"%cd%\appdata\ Login"

    This command “tells” Skype to launch the program even if another copy of Skype is already running, and at the same time, save user data in the specified folder, and not in the default folder (that is, %appdata%\Skype).


Does the script work for new versions of Skype?

Yes it works. However, the instructions above are slightly different. The new Skype (that is, version 8 and higher) uses a different type of installer, therefore, to unpack files, the innounp (Inno Setup Unpacker) utility is used, which, if necessary, is automatically saved to the script folder. Also, the command line parameters () are different.
I just want to add that the script was tested on Windows 7 and Windows XP, but I do not rule out that even on such systems something may not work correctly. Therefore, I will be grateful for any information about errors and comments on improving the script.

Program interface: Russian

Platform:XP/7/Vista

Manufacturer: Skyper Limited

Website: www.skype.com

Skype Portable is one of many “dialers” and is, so to speak, a portable version of the original Skype program. It has all the functions that are available in the stationary versions. However, the main advantage of this application is that there is no need to install it on your computer.

Key features of Skype Portable

This release was designed specifically to be used anywhere without installing program files on your hard drive. You just need to record the main one on any removable media and use it on another computer. Among the media, you can use disks, flash memory, or removable memory cards of any type.

Among the functions there is a standard set characteristic of the main release. In the same way, you can exchange short text messages, exchange files, make voice and video calls, and organize various types of conferences.

You can call subscribers who have the program installed with absolutely no effort, and it doesn’t matter what version of the application or operating system it is. The program recognizes, transmits and receives data with support for operating systems Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc. Naturally, the fee is not charged when making such a call. When using a Web camera, you can make calls in video mode. Here everything depends only on the resolution of the camera itself and the speed of your Internet connection. It is clear that the higher the connection speed, the better the quality of communication. In general, Skype Portable supports receiving and transmitting video in HD format.

It’s just as easy, you can call landlines around the world. The tariff will depend only on the operator whose number the call is made to.

An interesting feature of this particular version is support for Wi-Fi wireless data transmission technology around the world, regardless of location. Just connect to a wireless network and enjoy communication.

Skype Portable is a portable version that can be installed both on a computer and on a flash drive. This version does not work as a standalone executable; it still requires installation. It is called portable because it does not use the Windows system registry and does not store its files in Application Data, and therefore can be installed on removable media. All the functionality of regular Skype is supported by this version: from sending messages to calling mobile and landline phones.

This portable version was prepared by the famous Internet resource Portableapps.com, which became famous for creating portable versions of many popular programs. In addition, updates for the portable version of Skype are released with the same regularity as for the regular official version. That is, the Portableapps.com developers monitor official updates and update their version very quickly.

Key Features and Functions

  • free text chats, voice and video calls from Skype to Skype;
  • voice mail;
  • sending SMS, calls to any phone number at really reasonable prices;
  • guaranteed forwarding of messages and calls to your phone when you are offline.

Portable Skype is a unique program for communicating with family and friends anywhere in the world with Internet access. Skype Portable (portable version of Skype) is a program that does not require installation on a computer, which allows you to quickly and easily be always “online” even on someone else’s computer. Millions of users around the world have recognized Skype as the best program for free communication on the Internet.

The portable version of Skype is a free program for a Windows computer; the general functions of the software are available to everyone free of charge, but calling a mobile number and creating a video conference is paid and requires topping up your account in the system. The messenger can display your news from the Facebook social network in its window.

The portable version of Skype is compatible with the latest generations of Windows operating systems starting with XP.

The main features of this version are the same as the full release:

  1. voice calls to anywhere in the world;
  2. video calls;
  3. creation of a conference;
  4. chat messages with various “emoticons”;
  5. calls and SMS to mobile numbers for an additional fee;
  6. sharing media files;
  7. calls to landline numbers.

Principle of operation

In order to start using the program, you need to download Skype Portable and simply launch it without any installation. Let us remind you that previous versions of Skype had an installation package and the installation process took some time. After launch, a window with an accessible functional menu will open in front of you.

To add new friends to your contacts list, you need to enter the user’s login in the “Search” field; as soon as you receive consent from a friend, he will automatically appear in your list and you will be able to call, write messages, and exchange files.

Pros of portable Skype:

  1. does not require installation;
  2. high-quality communication depends only on the speed of the Internet and webcam;
  3. communication with the whole world where there is Internet;
  4. file sharing;
  5. protection of personal data and transferred files;
  6. simple and convenient, accessible to everyone.

Minuses:

- sometimes it is very difficult to find a friend without knowing the login, so come up with a login so that you can be found easily and quickly, the login cannot be changed;
- paid additional services (video conference, calls to landline and cell phone).

Skype Portable is a free application that does not require installation on your computer, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the process of use. In terms of capabilities, it is no different from a program that requires installation. Simply download the program onto any removable drive and take it with you, and you will always be “online.”

An analogue of this application is the OOVOO program, which features free video conferencing.