Microsoft has officially confirmed that consumer Skype (the version many people use at home for personal calls and messaging) will shut down on May 5, 2025. However, Skype for Business, which is a separate product, follows a different schedule:
- Skype for Business Online already reached end-of-life on July 31, 2021.
- Skype for Business Server 2019 and Server 2015 remain supported until October 14, 2025 (under extended support).
This means that if your organization still relies on Skype for Business Server, you won’t lose all support on May 5, 2025—but you are on a ticking clock. Microsoft’s latest blog post, “The Next Chapter: Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams,” encourages businesses to begin planning for a full transition to Microsoft Teams sooner rather than later
Why Microsoft Recommends Moving to Teams
- Ongoing Development & Support
While extended support continues for Skype for Business Server for a bit longer, it’s essentially in maintenance mode—you won’t see major new features or innovation. Teams, on the other hand, is where Microsoft invests heavily, rolling out frequent updates, new collaboration tools, and tighter security. - Unified Collaboration
Teams brings together chat, video meetings, file sharing, and enterprise calling in one application. This single-platform approach simplifies workflows, especially for hybrid or distributed teams. - Advanced Security & Compliance
Built on Microsoft 365’s secure infrastructure, Teams benefits from ongoing security enhancements and compliance updates—vital for organizations handling sensitive data or operating in regulated industries.
Future-Ready Voice Features
With Teams Phone (and programs like Operator Connect), businesses can leverage next-gen telephony capabilities right inside Teams: call queues, voicemail transcription, call recording, and more.
Business Implications of Holding Onto Skype for Business Too Long
- Security Risks After Extended Support Ends
As soon as extended support concludes (October 14, 2025, for current server versions), your Skype for Business environment will no longer receive security patches, making it increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. - Possible Integration Breakdowns
Third-party app developers typically shift their attention to modern platforms. Over time, you may find that integrations with older Skype for Business environments degrade or stop working altogether. - Competitive Disadvantage
When competitors upgrade to Teams or other modern UC platforms, your organization risks falling behind with less efficient collaboration and communication tools. - Last-Minute Scrambles
Delaying a complex migration often leads to higher costs and rushed deployments. Proactively planning ensures a smoother rollout and fewer surprises.
The Consumer Skype Shutdown: May 5, 2025
Microsoft will retire consumer Skype on May 5, 2025, signaling a broader shift away from all Skype offerings in favor of Microsoft Teams. If your organization uses consumer Skype for tasks like international calls or quick external meetings, be aware that these workflows may be disrupted once Skype is discontinued.
In Microsoft’s official announcement, they emphasize the need to move to Microsoft Teams—and even offer a free version of Teams for everyday communication. Their statement clarifies this direction:
“In order to streamline our free consumer communications offerings so we can more easily adapt to customer needs, we will be retiring Skype in May 2025 to focus on Microsoft Teams (free), our modern communications and collaboration hub.”
With both Skype for Business nearing extended support deadlines and consumer Skype ending entirely, it’s clear that Teams is now Microsoft’s central platform for calling, meetings, and collaboration.
How Momentum Helps You Transition to Teams
Even though Skype for Business won’t necessarily vanish on May 5, 2025, Microsoft’s strong recommendation is to migrate now. Momentum simplifies this process by offering:
- Assessment & Roadmapping
We review your current Skype for Business usage—whether it’s a standalone server or a hybrid setup—and identify how to transition seamlessly into Microsoft Teams. - Teams Phone & Operator Connect Expertise
Momentum specializes in Teams Phone deployments, allowing you to integrate enterprise-grade calling into Teams quickly. Our Operator Connect offerings can also eliminate the need for extensive on-prem hardware. - Hands-On Implementation
From configuring call queues and voicemail to porting phone numbers, we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on running your business. - Ongoing Support & Optimization
After rollout, we don’t disappear. Momentum offers continuous support, employee training, and feature enhancements—ensuring you fully leverage Teams’ capabilities.
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
- Is Skype for Business shutting down on May 5, 2025, too?
No. That date applies to consumer Skype. Skype for Business Server remains under extended support until October 14, 2025, although Microsoft strongly suggests moving to Teams beforehand. - Why not just keep using Skype for Business Server until 2025?
Extended support means minimal updates and eventual security vulnerabilities. Migrating sooner ensures your communication environment stays secure and up to date. - How does Teams differ from Skype for Business?
Teams provides a modern collaboration experience—combining video, chat, file-sharing, and calling—all backed by consistent feature releases and robust security within Microsoft 365. - Can Momentum help us integrate our existing PBX or call flows with Teams?
Absolutely. Whether you need Direct Routing, Operator Connect, or advanced contact center features, Momentum tailors solutions to fit your communication requirements.
Plan Ahead to Avoid Future Disruption
Even though Skype for Business isn’t ending on May 5, 2025 (that’s the date for consumer Skype’s shutdown), Microsoft’s larger roadmap indicates that Teams is the priority. Delaying your migration only increases the risk of scrambling later—once your server version moves beyond extended support.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Communications?
- Explore Teams Phone and discover how you can integrate enterprise calling into Teams.
- Learn More about Operator Connect for a simplified PSTN experience.
- Contact Momentum for a personalized consultation on transitioning from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams.
Don’t wait until your current platform is fully deprecated. Take proactive steps now to ensure your organization remains secure, innovative, and ready for the future of workplace communication.
