Keyboard Shortcuts +Bonus 10 Crucial Tips & Tricks for Skype

How to Use Skype Keyboard Shortcuts

Did you know you can enable shortcut-style "hotkeys" on Skype? Even better, you can fully customize them to suit your needs.


If you want to start saving time over on the VoIP service, then we have a handy guide showing you how to begin with the useful Skype keyboard shortcuts.

Take a look through our simple instructions below. In the comments, share any other Skype-like-a-ninja tips and tricks you use.

How to Enable Hotkeys

If you haven't done so already, you need to enable hotkeys in order to use them. Go to your Skype "Tools" menu and click on "Options.



Select the "Advanced" tab at the bottom of the list and click on "Hotkeys."



Click on the box next to "Enable keyboard shortcuts."

How to Customize Hotkeys

You will see a couple of hotkey commands already set up, but you can customize all the actions with shortcuts of your own preference. Simply click on the check box next to an action to add your own shortcut key sequence into a pop-up window.



It's up to you how many shortcuts you set up. To make them easier to remember, we suggest using hotkey commands you're already familiar with, e.g., "Control" + "F" for search. Once you've customized the hotkeys to your preference, click "Save" at the bottom of the window.



If you want to change a shortcut sequence at any point, simply click on the action and then hit "Change selected shortcut" to edit it before saving it again.

+Bonus

9 Crucial Tips and Tricks for Skype

1. Set Up Caller ID

Did you know you can make Skype calls look like they are coming from one of your "real world" numbers, such as your cell, for free?

To take advantage of this useful service, go to the "Skype" menu, then "Account," then click on the "Set up caller identification" hyperlink. Follow the instructions and you'll get a verification code to enter.

Now when you phone from Skype, the person receiving the call will know it's you.

2. Enable Skype Hotkeys

Skype offers some handy "hotkeys." You can find out more by going to the "Tools" menu, then hitting up "Options," "Advanced" and "Hotkeys."

Alternatively, take a look at our quick guide to enabling and customizing Skype's useful keyboard shortcuts.

3. Backup Your Skype Contacts

Have you backed up your Skype contacts? It's simple to do. Head to your Skype "Contacts" menu, click "Advanced," then "Backup Contacts to File" to generate a vCard .vcf file to save down to your computer.

4. Create "Favorite" Contacts

It's simple to add Skype contacts to a "Favorites" list for quick access. You can either drag and drop the contact to the "Favorites" section at the top of your contacts panel, or click on the star next to their name in a chat window.

5. Personalize Your Notifications

Skype's default notifications can be a bit much, so it's good to know you can personalize when you get notified about Skype activity.

Go to the Skype "Tools" menu, then "Options," then "Notifications." From here, you can tailor exactly what kind of alerts you get.

6. Customize Your Skype Sounds

You can also customize the audio of alerts you receive. To change the default settings, head to the "Tools" menu, then click "Options," and select "Sounds."

As well as choosing from the pre-loaded options, you can import mono-WAV files to customize your very own audio alerts.

7. Send a Video Message

Did you know you can make a video message for your Skype contacts? More fun than a voicemail, it's super-simple to record a clip and send it via Skype.

Just click on the plus arrow in a contact's chat window, select "Send a video message..." and follow the instructions. The best thing is, you can record it as many times as you need to, so you don't need to worry about fluffing your lines.

8. Connect Your Facebook Account to Skype

Connecting your Facebook account to Skype lets you see your Facebook news feed, call and IM Facebook friends from within Skype, and more.

Take a look at our simple walkthrough showing how to hook up the two accounts.

9. Finally, Here's a Fun Skype Easter Egg

We're ending this list on a fun one as there's a neat Easter Egg in Skype for Windows we'd like to share. Hold down the shift key and click on the "Call" phone-shaped icon at the top left of your Skype display... Look familiar? Apparently this pre-dates the Skype-Microsoft acquisition.