How can I force Skype to quit?

Here’s an example of the problem. Skype is running and having clicked the red cross – an action that would normally close a Windows application – the program simply gets minimised to the Taskbar. Nor do other methods work. Choosing the Close option from the Skype menu, for example, similarly minimises the application. The Sign Out option on this same menu will sign out of your Skype account but the application remains running.

To exit Skype so that the application closes properly, freeing up memory and processing power, right-click the program’s Taskbar icon and choose Quit Skype. A warning message will appear, explaining that incoming calls will no longer be received – click Quit. Skype has now closed.

It is also possible to stop Skype launching at the same time as Windows. To do this, first launch Skype and log in as normal. Click Tools and choose Options. Now click to remove the tick from the ‘Start Skype when I start Windows’ box and click Save.