Skype is awesome. It has blazed global communication by enabling calls and messages to flow unhindered across the world. It has become an essential part of our daily lives. But, it has one particular annoyance. It tends to remain active in the background on your Windows 10. This ensures that you always remain available for incoming calls and messages. But this puts Skype rather heavy on the CPU.
Contents
- 1 6 Ways to Stop Skype from Starting Automatically
- 1.1 Method 1: Stop Skype Desktop app from starting automatically in Windows 10
- 1.2 Method 2: Stop Skype Preview from starting automatically in Windows 10
- 1.3 Method 3: Stop Skype for Business from starting automatically in Windows 10
- 1.4 Method 4: Disable unwanted Skype process SkypeC2CPNRSvc.exe
- 1.5 Method 5: Disable unwanted Skype process SkypeC2CAutoUpdateSvc.exe
- 1.6 Method 6: Remove Skypehost.exe
6 Ways to Stop Skype from Starting Automatically
This article deals with techniques you can employ to stop Skype from starting automatically in Windows 10. Read on.
Method 1: Stop Skype Desktop app from starting automatically in Windows 10
1. First, open the Skype desktop app on your computer. For this, click on Skype shortcut on your desktop. Alternatively, click on Skype from the list of applications.
2. In case you are not already signed in, sign in to your Skype account.
3. Click on Tools present in the top menu bar.
4. Then click on Options. This will be shown in the drop-down menu.
5. In the Options screen, there will be an option Start Skype when I start Windows. Uncheck it. Click on Save.
This will stop Skype from starting automatically in your system. You can only launch it by clicking on its shortcut. Or by choosing it from the list of apps.
Method 2: Stop Skype Preview from starting automatically in Windows 10
When you first click on the Skype preview app, it asks you to sign in to your Microsoft account. However, after you do sign in, you will always remain signed in. This persists even after rebooting your device. It means Skype Preview always starts automatically on your Windows 10.
Follow the steps below to stop Skype from starting automatically:
1. Click on the Windows 10 Start button.
2. Select the Skype Preview app.
3. On the Skype preview screen, click on your Profile picture or icon. This is located at the bottom left corner of the screen.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the screen. Click on the Sign Out option.
Doing this will sign you out of the Skype Preview app. You won’t find Skype starting automatically on your system.
Method 3: Stop Skype for Business from starting automatically in Windows 10
You may be using the Skype for Business version of Skype. Follow the steps below to stop skype from starting automatically on your system.
1. First, open the Skype for the Business app on your computer. For this, click on Skype shortcut on your desktop. Alternatively, click on Skype for Business from the list of applications.
2. In case you are not already signed in, sign in to your Skype for Business account.
3. Next, to the wheel icon, there is a little down arrow. Click on it.
4. From the drop-down list, click on Tools, and then on Options.
5. On the Options screen, click on the Personal tab. This is present in the side menu.
6. Uncheck the option for “Automatically start the app when I log on to Windows.”
7. Click on OK to save the settings.
Method 4: Disable unwanted Skype process SkypeC2CPNRSvc.exe
SkypeC2CPNRSvc.exe is the Phone Number Recognition module. You can find this in “C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\PNRSvc\” folder. To disable SkypeC2CPNRSvc.exe, follow the steps below:
1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously. This will open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc in the Run box. Hit Enter.
2. Search for Skype Click to Call PNR Service. When you find it, double-click on it.
3. Open the Services tab. Then click to open Skype Click to Call PNR Service properties.
4. Open the properties for c2cpnrsvc. Click on General option.
5. Click on Service Status. Then select Stop.
6. Click on the Startup type. From the drop-down list, choose Disabled. Next click on OK.
You should be able to stop Skype from starting automatically in Windows 10.
Method 5: Disable unwanted Skype process SkypeC2CAutoUpdateSvc.exe
SkypeC2CAutoUpdateSvc.exe has its name as Updates Skype Click to Call. You can find it in the folder “C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\AutoUpdate\”. To disable this process, perform the steps below:
1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously. This will open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc in the Run box. Hit Enter.
2. Search for Skype Click to Call Updater. When you find it, double-click on it.
3. Open the Services tab. Then click to open Skype Click to Call Updater properties.
4. Open the properties for c2cautoupdatesvc. Click on General option.
5. Click on Service Status. Then select Stop.
6. Click on the Startup type. From the drop-down list, choose Disabled. Next click on OK.
7. Reboot your system.
Method 6: Remove Skypehost.exe
There is another persistent process running in your Windows 10 background. It powers the Windows 10 Skype and Messaging + Skype. If you do not require these services, you can remove Skypehost.exe. There are two ways to do this:
Uninstall Messaging + Skype. Follow these steps:
1. Click on the Start button. Go to Settings.
2. Then go to System -> Apps and Features.
3. Find Messaging + Skype. Click on it and then select Uninstall.
Remove Skype using the Powershell by following the steps:
1. Press the Windows and X keys together. Type Powershell in the Search box that is provided.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter simultaneously. Confirm the User Account Control Prompt.
3. Now type in the following commands:
Get-AppxPackage *messaging* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage *skypeapp* | Remove-AppxPackage
Press Enter after each command you type.
These are all the methods you can use to stop Skype from starting automatically in Windows 10.
