How do I export or delete my Skype data?

To remove instant messages or delete or clear conversations:

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


To export your messages and media from chat:

1. Sign in to the Export page with your Microsoft account.
2. Select the option to download your Conversations, Files, or both. 
   • Exported messages include Skype and SMS messages, polls, scheduled calls, swift cards, and location shares.
   • Exported media includes files, pictures, videos, video messages, voice mail, and call recordings.
3. Select Submit request then select Continue when prompted.
4. You will need to check back periodically to the export page on the status of your export, which you can see at the top of the page under Available Exports. A link to download your files will also appear there when they are available to download. 
5. Click the Download button to download your files. 

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

To open the files and chat history downloaded from Skype:

The downloaded messages and files are delivered in a .tar file. You may need an additional application to open the .tar export file and extract your messages and files.

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

1. Press the Windows + r keys on your keyboard to open the Run window. 
2. In the Open: field, type cmd and then click OK.
3. Use the "change directory" (CD) command to navigate to your file:
   • Files saved to your Downloads folder: Type CD Downloads and then press Enter. 
   • Files saved to a location other than your downloads folder: Type CD DIRECTORY, replacing DIRECTORY with the folder name where your exported file was saved. (IE: CD Desktop), and then press Enter. 
4. Type tar -xvfYOURFILENAME_export.tar, replacing YOURFILENAME with the name of your exported file which usually follows the pattern 8_skypename_export.tar or 8_live_skypename_export.tar and then press Enter. 
5. After the command completes, you will see your extracted messages file named messages.json file in the directory. We recommend downloading the file  viewer to make is easier to read your conversation history. 
6. After downloading the viewer, open it by selecting the index.html file from the skype-parser folder. 
7. Browse to the messages.json file and then click the Load button. 

To extract the .tar file on Mac:

Browse to the .tar file you downloaded and open the file. Mac has built-in .tar support. 


To extract the Tar file on older Windows operating systems:

You may need a third party application to open the .tar file. 

Note: This link is provided for your convenience and is not an endorsement of any particular third party tool. Ensure that any software you choose to download is from a trusted source. 
 

To export your activity data:

1. Go to the Microsoft account Privacy page.
2. Select Sign in with Microsoft.
3. Sign in to your Microsoft account, then select the Download your data tab at the top of the page.
4. Select Create new archive to export your data. We will walk you through the process. 

To delete your activity data:

1. Go to the Microsoft account Privacy page.
2. Select Sign in with Microsoft.
3. Navigate to the activity history.
4. Find Skype in the list of activities and select Clear to delete your activity data for Skype.

To export your diagnostic data:

1. Go to the I want to make a request regarding my personal data page.
2. Select Log in, then sign in with your Microsoft account.
3. Fill out the form and enter that you would like to export your diagnostic data in the What do you need from the Privacy Team today? field.
4. Select Submit.

To export a list of your purchases:

1. Sign into the Skype account page with your Microsoft Account.
2. Under Account details, select Purchase history.
3. Browse to the month you want to export.
4. Select either Download monthly Statement or Monthly VAT invoice.

Note: Purchase history is retained by Microsoft for tax and compliance purposes for up to 10 years. It is automatically deleted after the retention period expires.

To export your paid calls history:

1. Sign into the Skype account page with your Microsoft Account.
2. Select Usage.
3. Browse to the month you want to export.
4. Select Export current month to history file.

Note: Paid calls history is retained by Microsoft for tax and compliance purposes for up to 10 years. It is automatically deleted after the retention period expires.

To learn how to export a list of your Skype contacts, please visit How do I export a list of my Skype contacts?

To learn how to delete a Skype contact, please visit How do I delete a contact in Skype?
 

To delete location data:

• On mobile: Tap and hold the location share message, then select Remove. 
• On desktop/web: Right-click the location share message, then select Remove.

Note: Exporting location data is covered in the export conversation section.

To receive an export of users you reported: 

1. Go to the I want to make a request regarding my personal data page.
2. Select Log in, then sign in with your Microsoft account.
3. Fill out the form and enter that you would like to export your reported users data in the What do you need from the Privacy Team today? field.
4. Select Submit.