My Skype Is Missing the Chat Menu

Don't worry if you can't see the "Chat" menu in Skype.

Despite being the same basic program, Skype for Windows is very different from Skype for Mac or Skype for Linux. In Linux, for example, you can bookmark specific chats to be able to easily refer back to them later. This option is not available in Skype for Windows or Mac. Similarly, the menu options on the various versions of Skype are not identical.

The 'Chat' Menu

The "Chat" menu is only available in Skype for Mac OS. It is located near the top of the screen. Options in the "Chat" menu include "Set Topic" and "Delete All Chat Messages." If you read instructions involving the "Chat" menu, chances are they were geared toward a Mac user. This menu does not appear in the Windows version of Skype, so do not be alarmed when you do not see it. You may need to use other menus to access the features you were trying to reach through the "Chat" menu.

The 'Skype' Menu

The "Skype" menu gives you access to major actions in Skype. For example, you can use options from the "Skype" menu to add more Skype credit to your account or change your profile. This is also one way of changing your online status. For example, you can change your status to "Invisible" or "Do Not Disturb." The "Skype" menu also lets you change your password, sign out of Skype, or close the program.

The 'Contacts' Menu

The "Contacts" menu, located immediately to the right of the "Skype" menu, gives you ways to manage your Skype contacts. This is where you should go when you want to add a contact, import multiple contacts, create a new group, or hide certain contacts. The "Advanced" option here gives you a way to export your contacts to a file, import contacts from a file, and manage your blocked Skype contacts.

The 'Conversation' Menu

Look immediately to the right of the "Contacts" menu to find the "Conversation" menu. Here you can add people to your conversation, block the contact with whom you are currently chatting, or mark the conversation as unread. You can also use the "View Old Messages" option in this menu to select the time period when you wish to view chat messages with this contact. This can range from "Yesterday" to "1 year" to "From Beginning."

The 'Tools' Menu

The "Tools" menu, located second to last in the list of menus at the top of Skype, gives you the chance to truly customize your Skype experience. You can change Skype's language through this menu. Click "Options" at the bottom of the menu to open a new window. Here, you can change everything from your notifications for various events to the sounds that Skype makes. You can also choose to select who can contact you and how long you want to keep your chat history. You can even set up keyboard shortcuts for various actions such a muting your microphone or answering a call.

References

• Skype: Skype for Mac OS X

Resources

• Skype: Support