Skype won't launch on Windows Vista. Why doesn't Skype work? PC requirements

Interesting fact. According to a recent study, the Skype program has surpassed ICQ ICQ in popularity several times. And now for an amazing fact. Problems with launching, installing and using the program remained at the same level. Users working on XP, when there was no talk about Windows 7, faced the same problems that they face now. In addition to the sound, the program may simply refuse to work, so even going through the authorization process becomes impossible. So, what to do if Skype doesn't work on xp?

Personally, I think that XP is already an obsolete, although well-proven operating program. The problem is that most software manufacturers also believe that they create programs that can only run on Windows 7, 8 or at least Vista. It is for this reason that a recently updated version of Skype may refuse to work. Therefore, if you still have XP installed, you should use the old software. Any version of Skype will do as long as Microsoft has not bought the rights to own this software.

By the way, updating to a newer version can also save the situation. Microsoft developers don't eat their bread for nothing, so some software compatibility issues are resolved fairly quickly.

Advice! If you don’t want to go back to the old version of Skype, you can try to launch it by changing the settings in the program.

Tip two. Change settings in related programs

If you are using a version developed by Microsoft, especially after Skype 5.5, then the failure to work is most likely caused by features introduced by the developers into the software. Namely, its binding to Internet Explorer. To solve this problem you can do the following:

Close Internet Explorer and all Explorer windows.
Open it again.
Click on the tools button. It is located in the upper left corner and looks like a gear.
Select browser properties.
Press additionally.
Click on the reset button.
In the window that appears, check the box next to the offer to delete personal settings.
Click the reset button, it is located in the dialog box.
After the program completes the operation, click OK.
We close the program.

After starting Internet Explorer again, all settings and changes will take effect. As a result, Skype should start. If this does not help, it’s time to use the “heavy” artillery, namely, change the settings in the software.

Important! To run Skype, the latest version, you must install the appropriate Internet Explorer. Many problems can be solved if it is simple.

If the previous advice did not help resolve the compatibility issue and Skype still refuses to work, you can set an exception to prevent it from being tied to Internet Explorer. To do this you will need:

Right-click on the Skype icon.
In the window that opens, select the Internet Properties tab.
Now we look for the shortcut column. It contains the address and location where the download file is located.
At the end we write /legacylogin. Don't forget to put a space between the existing address and the new command.
Save the changes by clicking the OK button.

What we did. They simply gave the command for Skype to work offline without using Internet Explorer.

Usually the three steps above: or simply later, changing the settings in the programs that are used, as well as enabling the offline mode from IE help in 90% of cases.

Telephony in the modern world is one of the most important technologies, and the situation when Skype won't open can confuse many users. There can be several reasons for an application to fail - from the program itself to a problem in the operating system. In any case, it is always possible to restore its correct operation.

Skype does not open on the computer due to a variety of reasons - from easy-to-solve problems to problems that require reinstalling the system. The article does not imply that there are communication problems in the program, only an error at startup, lack of response when clicking on a shortcut, or startup with an empty window.

Common causes of Skype crashes:

a failure occurred due to user settings;
the disruption occurred due to a glitch in Internet Explorer, which is responsible for displaying many program elements;
problem in system settings;
driver or program conflict;
the presence of a failure after updating a program or Windows.

Before any manipulations, it is worth checking, probably the problem is observed among many users and there are malfunctions on the server. If this is the true reason, it is enough to wait for the program to be restored; the developers are responsible for this.

Skype settings crash

Skype won't open, what should I do first? – It is worth checking the serviceability of the program in the settings area. Sometimes user data creates errors and prevents quality use.

To fix the problem, you need to perform a simple manipulation:

Most often, even an inactive program has a working process; to close it, you should press Ctrl + Alt + Del and go to the “Processes” section. Here it is worth closing the process from the Skype manufacturer.
Now you should press Win + R and enter the text %appdata%\skype and Enter into the line - this command will transfer to the section with user data.
A folder will open in a new window in which you need to locate the shared.xml file and delete it.

By deleting the configuration file, a reset should occur and there is a high probability of restoring the program. If the method does not lead to the expected result, you can use another algorithm, in which the first step is similar, and then follows:

Win + R paste %appdata% into the line, then press Enter.
In the catalog, find the “Skype” and RMB section.
Select the “Rename” option and add any number to the end of the name.

The disadvantage of the manipulation is deleting conversations and chats; the program should start as new, although the contacts are stored on the server and, accordingly, will be saved.

Reset system and Skype settings

Special programs have been developed that detect and eliminate all temporary and useless files. All actions can be performed manually, but there is a risk of forgetting about some section and this will take a lot of time. The best program that will help you cope with this task efficiently is CCleaner.

Let's look at the algorithm of actions using CCleaner:

Download the application - https://ccleaner.org.ua/download/.
On the first “Cleaner” tab, you need to launch the scanning algorithm using the “Analyze” button, having previously selected the applications that need to be checked.
After the analysis, you need to click on the “Run Cleaner” button.

A window with a suggestion will appear (it is advisable to do this).
Then go to the “Registry” section and run registry analysis.

After the search, the number of errors found will be shown and you will be able to start troubleshooting.

Performing this manipulation will in some cases allow you to restore Skype and speed up the performance of the entire Windows system.

Complete reinstallation of the program

Often, to restore the launch of Skype, reinstalling the program is used. An important condition for effectiveness is the complete removal of the previous version, otherwise the method may be useless. There are special programs for this, for example, iObit Uninstaller.

Complete removal of Skype:

Download the program https://ru.iobit.com/advanceduninstaller/ and then install;
In the main application window, find Skype and click on the delete button;

After standard uninstallation, you will be asked to delete traces of the application on your PC in all storage areas; you must agree and create a restore point.

After the procedure, you will need to download the new version of Skype and install it.

Problem in Internet Explorer

A similar problem has existed for a long time, back to the release of version 5.5, when Skype was tied to IE. When you enter the program, authorization occurs, which activates ActiveX and some JavaScript frameworks located in IE. If browser settings are changed due to manipulation by the user or other programs, Skype may stop working. This error is characterized by difficulties in adding new contacts.

For most popular systems before Windows 8, a special fix can be used, which was made by the developer themselves. For some users, just updating the browser is enough.

Resetting settings in IE helps in many cases, for this you should:

Close all IE windows and other tabs in Explorer.
Relaunch IE browser.
Using the “Service” section, go to the “Properties” item. You can open a window with a section by clicking on the gear.
Next, go to the “Advanced” section and click on “Reset”.
It is important to put a highlight next to the “Delete personal data” item: visited pages, cookies, hash, etc.

In the new window, you should confirm the action by clicking on the “Reset” button.
After completing the manipulation, you should close the program.

When the steps are completed, it is worth checking that Skype is working properly; the program should work again.

If you still have questions on the topic “What to do if Skype does not open?”, you can ask them in the comments

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Skype is used by hundreds of millions of people around the world. Thanks to the application, you can make video and audio calls around the world for free. However, like any other program, Skype sometimes experiences errors. For example, some users complain that Skype does not start. There are a lot of reasons why the problem appeared, as well as solutions.

First, you should try reinstalling the program or updating it to the latest version. To do this, you need to go to the official website of the developers, from where you can download the installation files. For stable operation of the application, it is recommended to use version 5.6 or higher. All updates are posted on the Microsoft website.

Please note that if the application was not completely uninstalled, the newer version will not be installed on your PC or mobile device. In order to avoid this, you need to use special utilities that help remove not only the program itself, but also residual files stored on the system.

If after reinstallation you still receive an error when starting Skype, it is recommended to use the following instructions. Windows PC users should close the application and open the command prompt by clicking
. Enter text into the command line %appdata%\skype, then press Enter.
In the folder that opens, you need to find the shared.xml file and delete it. Next, you need to launch Skype to check its functionality. The deleted file will be downloaded again and saved automatically.

If shared.xml is not displayed in the list, then enter control folders in the command line and click OK. In the list of options that opens, you need to set a setting that suggests showing all hidden files and folders on the device. After these steps, you need to click OK.

The experience for users running Mac operating systems will be slightly different.

Quit the messenger.
Open the Library folder.
Go to the Application Support section.
Click on the Skype folder.
Find and delete the shared.xml file.

The next time you start the program, the file will appear in the list again, but if the problem is resolved, then no further action will be required.

Another reason why Skype won't start may be due to Internet Explorer settings. The work of the latest versions of the program is directly related to the web browser, as it requires the execution of Active X tasks and the use of other standard Microsoft tools. But the browser settings are not always configured as required to work with the messenger. Therefore, Windows users are advised to set the settings according to the requirements of the application or return them to the default settings. These actions will cause Skype to open in the window of the old version, which did not require Internet Explorer tools, including access to JavaScript. But you should remember that this is only a temporary solution to using the messenger.

Dear Administrator! Please help me figure out why I can’t connect to SKYPE. System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, version 2002, Service Pack 3. SKYPE - 7.27. I checked for access to SKYPE - link: Installed - Internet Explorer 8, version - 8.0.6001.18702СО, encryption strength - 128 bits. The page does not open - "Internet Explorer cannot display this web page."

Result of diagnosing connection problems:
Time of last diagnosis: 11/23/17 01:53:51

info Redirecting user request to support number

DNS Client Diagnostics
DNS is not a scenario for home users

Info Use of web proxy: no
info Successful name resolution for (www.microsoft.com): yes
No DNS servers

Gateway diagnostics
Gateway
info The default gateway and the computer are on the same subnet
info The default gateway is a valid address for a unicast link
info The default gateway address is calculated via ARP. Number of attempts: 1.
info Default gateway detected using ICMP Ping. Number of attempts: 1.
info Communication with TCP port 80 on the host has been successfully established
info Communication with the Internet site www.microsoft.com has been successfully established
info There are no problems with the default gateway

IP level diagnostics
IP routing table is corrupted

Info Valid default route
info Valid loopback route
info Valid route to local host
info Valid route to local subnet
Invalid ARP cache entries

Action APR cache cleared

IP configuration diagnostics

Info Valid IP address detected:

Wireless Diagnostics
Wireless - Service disabled
Wireless - User SSID
Wireless communication - setup at first start
Wireless - radio disabled
Wireless - Out of Range
Wireless communication is a hardware problem
Wireless Communication - New User
Wireless Communications - Ad Hoc Network
Wireless - less desirable
Wireless - configuration mismatch
Wireless Communications - Low Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)

WinSock Diagnostics
WinSock Status
info All major service providers are present in the Winsock directory.
info Valid Winsock service provider chains.
info MSAFD provider Tcpip passed loopback testing.
info MSAFD provider Tcpip passed loopback testing.
info The RSVP UDP Service Provider passed the loopback test.
info The RSVP TCP Service Provider passed the loopback test.
info The connection is valid for all Winsock service providers.

Network adapter diagnostics
Determining the location of the network
info Using your home Internet connection
info Network connection status: Connected

Diagnostics HTTP, HTTPS, FTP
HTTP, HTTPS, FTP connections

Warn FTP (passive): error 12031 when connecting to ftp.microsoft.com: The connection with the server was reset
info HTTP: successful connection to www.microsoft.com.
warn HTTPS: error 12029 when connecting to www.microsoft.com: A connection with the server could not be established
warn HTTPS: error 12029 when connecting to www.passport.net: A connection with the server could not be established
warn FTP (active): error 12031 when connecting to ftp.microsoft.com: The connection with the server was reset
error The HTTPS connection could not be established.
error Failed to establish FTP connection.

When you download your shortcut, a file with the extension "download" is downloaded. You recommended proceeding to step 5 of the instructions. As far as I understand, after reading the comments, you need to download only one of the three scripts you suggested. Which one should I download??? (preferably not the third one (I haven’t figured out yet how to save the libraries in the script folder).

Thank you in advance for your response.

Restoring Skype versions on Windows XP SP2: connection cannot be established

The end of summer 2014 was remembered by many Internet users for the fact that their favorite versions of Skype stopped working. Microsoft, having acquired Skype, disabled support for earlier versions. At first, this manifested itself as the inability to work in the program with a message that “you are using an outdated version.” Then this message was replaced by another: “The connection cannot be established” at the stage of entering the login and password.

The official statement on this matter indicates that support for the use of versions of Skype designed for operating systems lower than Windows XP SP3 has ceased. That is, people using XP SP2 were left without Skype.

New versions on SP2 refuse to work with the message "Failed to get proc address for GetLogicalProcessorInformation (KERNEL32.dll)".

So what can you try to solve this problem? The first and easiest thing is to turn SP2 into SP3. However, few people will want to install this service pack now if they haven't done so before. And there are reasons for this - the system after such an “update” may become glitchy and slow down. Therefore, you can turn SP2 into SP3 by editing the registry. To do this in the branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Windows

You need to change the value of the CSDVersion (dword) parameter from 00000200 to 00000300.

But, unfortunately, this did not solve the problem. Old versions never work, and new ones never launch. The second option remains: rename not the Windows version, but the version of the program itself. The sequence is:

We take the old version of Skype, which used to work, and then stopped due to the disabling of support for older versions.
We find where the version is written in its code, which is verified at the connection stage.
We change this value to any new version.
The program starts, connects, checks the version number, successfully passes the test and... works as before.

There's only one problem here. The code of the Skype exe file is obfuscated - roughly speaking, it is encoded. However, fixing this is not difficult. If you are not familiar with softice, google skype deobfuscated. Among the many pages with viruses and Trojans, you will find the following good site, http://skype-open-source.blogspot.ru, now cut down. There you could find Skype, deobfuscated. Next, you can either edit the version yourself in the program code, or download a ready-made one, for example:

This is version 5.5, and even portable. Its only difference is the absence of a digital signature. The program launches perfectly, but in our case it did not always show the status of the contacts. But here we discovered a way to make it work... the version of Skype that was installed earlier, but stopped working with the message “Unable to establish a connection.” For this:

1. Find the shared.xml file on your hard drive. It may, for example, be located in the c:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Skype\ folder
All files with the word shared in the name are deleted.
2. Launch the patched version of skype, downloaded from the above link. Then close it to allow the program to exit.
3. Repeat step 1.
4. Launch the version of Skype that you had installed but stopped working.

Miraculously, her work is restored. Apparently, in the account properties on the skype server, some kind of flag is set to allow operation. The problem was solved without updating Windows and Skype.

Please indicate in the comments what versions of Windows and Skype you had, and what sequence of actions helped you specifically.