How do I send an instant message in Skype for Windows Desktop?

We’ve all been there – you send someone an instant message, and just as you hit Enter you realize you’ve sent it to the wrong person. No problem – you can remove that message after you’ve sent it.

To remove a message, right-click it and select Remove Message. This option is only available for a short time after you send a message.

If you’ve just made a typo and want to correct it, right-click the sent message and select Edit Message (or use the Up arrow on your keyboard to edit the last message you sent). Correct the error and press Enter.

Find out more about deleting your conversation history.

You can change the size and type of your IM font to suit you. This is a useful option if you’re having trouble reading the default font. Find out how to change your IM font.

You can also use some basic formatting in your instant messages to make them more interesting.

Italics

Put _underscores_ around the words you want to emphasize.

Bold

Put *asterisks* around the words you want to make bold.

Strikethrough

Bookend your text with ~tildes~ to put a strike through it. You might use this to convey sarcasm or show what’s changed, for example.

Monospace

For that plain text look, wrap {code} around words like this:
{code}This will be monospaced{code}.

To send your entire IM in monospace font, start the message with two exclamation marks and a space (!! ).

 

Override special formatting

Put two @ symbols and a space (@@ ) at the beginning of a message to prevent special formatting. You can also switch off formatting in your IM settings. You’ll still see other people’s formatting; you just won’t send any.

You can set your IM privacy preferences, change the way messages behave and customize the appearance of your IMs. 

1. In the menu bar, click Tools and then Options.

   

2. Choose IM & SMS from the left and click the Show advanced options button to see all of the options.

   

3. Change your IM settings to your preference.

4. To change the appearance of your instant messages, select IM appearance on the left, and then use the check-boxes to customize how your messages are displayed.