Skype brings back “Away” status with latest Insider build

1 min. read

Published on December 6, 2018

published on December 6, 2018

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By popular request, Skype is bringing back the “Away” status that used to be available in the Skype classic app before it was deprecated in November. The “Away” status is currently available in Skype version 8.36.76.26 for Skype Insiders, and Microsoft also brought back the yellow icon with the timer.

It’s important to note that the “Away” status is different from “Recently Active,” a new status which will be automatically set when you were active less than an hour ago. Microsoft says that will soon allow users to choose the duration after which they are marked Recently Active in Skype.

For now, the “Recently Active” and “Away” status will only be visible for Skype Insiders running the build 8.36.76.26. If you’re running the October 2018 Update, you can get this new version by opening the pre-installed Skype Microsoft Store app, go to Settings > Help and Feedback and then opt in to the Skype App Preview program. For those of you on older versions of Windows, macOS or Linux, you can download the Skype Preview app on this page.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.