How do I export or delete my Skype data?

If you would like to export or delete specific Skype content, then the following information will help you.

Messages and Conversations can be exported, deleted, or cleared using the following options

There are several ways to remove an instant message, erase a conversation, or clear a conversation:

Learn more about how to remove an instant message or delete or clear a conversation.

To export your messages and media from chat:

1. You will need to sign in to your Microsoft account in order to access the Export page.
2. Depending on your preferences, you are able to download either your Conversations, or your Files.
   • As an additional feature to the exported messages list, there will also be Skype, SMS, polls, scheduled calls, Swift cards, and location sharing messages included in the export list.
   • Files, pictures, videos, voice mail recordings, and video messages can be exported as well as video messages and video messages.
3. When prompted to submit a request, select Submit then Continue to continue the process.
4. The status of your export can be found at the top of the page under Available Exports, and you will need to check back periodically to the export page to see if the export is still being processed. Once your files have been uploaded, you will also be able to access a link that allows you to download them.
5. When you have finished downloading your files, you will be asked to click on the Download button.

Learn more about how long files and data are available in Skype.

To open the files and chat history downloaded from Skype:

A .tar file is delivered along with the downloaded messages and files. If you would like to extract the messages and files that are contained in the .tar export file, you may need to use an additional application.

To extract the .tar file on Windows 10 or Windows 11:

1. When you simultaneously press the Windows key and the R key on your keyboard, you will be presented with a Run window that will appear on your screen.
2. Select the Open: field and then type cmd in it, followed by clicking the OK button.
3. Use the “change directory” (CD) command to navigate to your file:
   • Files saved to your Downloads folder: Go to your Downloads folder by typing CD Downloads and so pressing Enter.
   • Files saved to a location other than your downloads folder:
   •  If you are exporting a file from one folder to another, you will need to immediately replace DIRECTORY with the path to the folder where you have saved the exported file, if you have done that. (ie: CD Desktop), and then press the Enter Button.
4. As soon as you have completed typing tar -xvfYOURFILENAME_export.tar, you should replace YOURFILENAME with the name of the exported file, which usually follows the pattern 8_skypename_export.tar or 8_live_skypename_export.tar. Press Enter to convert the file to your destination.
5. In the directory whose name is messages.json that will be created when the command has been completed, you will be able to see the extracted messages file that has been created. You may find it easier to read your conversation history if you download the file viewer so that you can view it more easily.
6. In the skype-parser folder, you can find an index.html file that can be opened after the viewer has been downloaded.
7. To load your messages.json file, please locate it on your computer and then click on the button that says Load (which will load it onto your computer).

To extract the .tar file on Mac:

The first thing you need to do is open the .tar file that you downloaded. In Mac OS X, .tar files are supported by a built-in feature.

To extract the Tar file on older Windows operating systems:

The .tar file may need to be opened with the help of a third party application.

Export and Delete Activity or Diagnostic Data

To export your activity data:

1. Visit the Privacy page for your Microsoft account by clicking here.
2. Please select the appropriate option for logging in using your Microsoft account in order to proceed.
3. By clicking the Download your data tab at the top of the page, you will be able to download your data when you are logged into your Microsoft account.
4. If you wish to export your data, click on Create new archive to do so. You will be guided through the entire process by our team of experts.

To delete your activity data:

1. The privacy page in your Microsoft account can be found by going to the following link.
2. Upon selecting Sign in with Microsoft, you will be able to choose one of the options to sign in with Microsoft.
3. You can access the history of your activities by navigating to the activities tab.
4. The activity data for Skype can be deleted by clicking the Clear option in the list of activities.

To export your diagnostic data:

1. By going to the page titled I want to make a request regarding my personal information, you can make a request regarding my personal information.
2. Choose Sign in, and then select your Microsoft account so that you can sign in with it.
3. In order to export your diagnostic data, you will need to complete the form and indicate as part of your request that you would like to export your diagnostic data. Field of data.
4. Please select the Submit button.

Export Purchase History

To export a list of your purchases:

1. With your Microsoft Account, you will be able to sign into your Skype account page.
2. Click on the Purchase history link under the Account details section.
3. You will need to select the month that you wish to export.
4. Choose either the Monthly VAT Invoice or the Monthly Statement to download.

Export Paid Calls History

To export your paid calls history:

1. It is necessary that you sign into your Microsoft Account in order to access the Skype account page in order to access its features.
2. Please select the Usage option.
3. Select the month whose export you wish to perform.
4. The current month can be exported to a file that can be accessed later as a history.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I delete all my Skype data?

All images and contents credit goes to support.skype.com