Does your Skype for Business keep popping up every time you turn the computer on, or randomly during the day, disrupting your workflow or maybe while you’re enjoying your favorite show?
Not only is this extremely annoying, but it can also be a sign of Skype malware, so it is time to look into it and find out what’s causing your Skype to act up.
In addition to the common causes for this issue, we will also talk about the most efficient methods to solve this problem once and for all. Keep on reading to learn more!
Why does Skype for Business keep popping up?
Before we can even mention some of the best methods to get rid of this issue forever, it is necessary to find out why this is happening.
Here are some of the most common issues that could be causing Skype for Business to pop up randomly.
1. Skype settings
In case you haven’t checked Skype settings since the first time the problem arose, you might want to do it now.
It could be that Skype is an auto-starting program and that its settings need to be adjusted to prevent it from popping up.
2. Computer settings
Even if your Skype settings aren’t the issue and Skype for Business isn’t auto-starting according to its properties, it could be that the problem is in the setup of your computer.
What happens, in this case, is that your OS has recognized Skype for Business as a program that should kick in automatically once you turn on the computer. Luckily, this is something that can be changed easily.
3. You’re signed in
In case you’re constantly signed in, it could be that Skype for Business keeps popping up for that reason.
Make sure that the option to remain signed in is not checked since that could be triggering the auto-starts.
4. Skype malware
If you’ve never even used Skype for Business and you don’t have an account, constant Skype for Business popups could be resulting from malware.
Whether your Skype for Business is infected with malware or malware is sending fake Skype popups, you can detect any threats by running an antivirus check.
5. Task Manager
In case you’re unable to disable Skype for Business from either Skype settings or computer settings, you may have to open your Task Manager and make sure that Skype for Business isn’t listed in startup programs.
6. Skype for Business needs to be removed
Removing Skype from your computer is the best thing you can do if none of the above-mentioned causes seem to be the case, and you’re not even using it.
One of the possible scenarios is that the program is faulty and some defective files are causing the Skype for Business window to pop up automatically.
Not only will removing Skype and all its files prevent this from happening, but it will also clear up some space on your storage.
It is always recommended to remove the programs you’re no longer using to optimize the overall performance of your computer.
7. Presenting status
The next time the Skype business window opens up, check whether your Skype status is set to “Presenting – Do Not Disturb” even though there is no meeting going on at the moment, and you haven’t set this status yourself.
This often happens if you have your laptop connected to a separate monitor, as Skype for Business can recognize this as an ongoing meeting.
How to stop Skype for Business from popping up?
Whether you’re a Skype for Business user, or you don’t even have a Skype account, there are effective ways to prevent the popups from appearing randomly.
Here’s what you can do to stop Skype for Business from popping up.
1. Adjust Skype settings
First things first, you want to open up Skype settings and make sure that Skype for Business isn’t listed as an auto-starting program.
To access the settings, go to the Skype main page where you can also see your profile. Now find the three dots in the top right corner and click on them to open up a menu.
In this menu, select Settings, then General, and search for an option titled Automatically start Skype. In case it is checked, make sure to uncheck this box to prevent Skype for Business from opening automatically.
You also want to make sure that two other options are disabled: On close, keep Skype running, and Launch Skype in the background.
You can also choose to enable Skype to run in the background, and it won’t pop up on the screen.
2. Adjust computer settings
Even though you’ve adjusted Skype settings, if your default computer settings aren’t adjusted accordingly, you may still experience these annoying Skype for Business popups.
If you’re a Windows 10 user, Skype is a default app, and this may be why it keeps popping up automatically.
To solve this, you want to click on the Windows button in the bottom left corner, then search for Startup Apps.
Once you’ve opened up the list of background apps, if Skype is enabled, make sure to disable it.
Keep in mind that Startup Apps may be titled differently on your computer, and depending on the OS version, you may find them under “Background Apps”.
3. Sign out
Are you logged into Skype for Business? One of the best ways to prevent Skype for Business from popping up all the time is to make sure to log out when you’re not using the app.
In case you choose to remain logged in, you may experience these Skype for Business popups quite often.
To sign out, open the app, then go to your profile, and click on the Sign out button.
4. Remove malware
Just like any other malware, Skype for Business malware can only be detected using antivirus software.
Launch the antivirus program and run a check to detect and remove any malware, as well as affected files – especially those related to the Skype business.
5. Disable Skype for Business from Task Manager
In case you’ve disabled Skype for Business from both Skype and computer properties, but it still keeps showing up, you may have to make sure it is disabled in the Task Manager, as well.
To launch the Task Manager, right-click the taskbar, then go to Task Manager. Now select More Details>Startup tab to access the programs and apps that open up when the computer boots up.
In case Skype for Business is enabled in this menu, make sure to disable it to prevent it from popping up on your screen automatically even when you’re not using it.
6. Uninstall Skype for Business
If the Skype for Business app keeps giving you a hard time, you can always remove it and switch to Skype for Business online, as there is a web version of it.
Sometimes, if the app doesn’t seem to be working properly, or you suspect that it has been corrupted, it is best to remove it from your computer – including all the related files.
To uninstall Skype for Business, go to Control Panel and search for Programs. In this menu, look for Skype for Business, then right-click on it and select Uninstall to remove it from your computer.
You can also enter Apps and programs in the search bar, then open up this menu, click on Apps & features, and finally hit the Uninstall button right below the Skype for Business details.
As we’ve mentioned, it is also necessary to remove all the files related to this program:
- Press Windows+R, then enter “%appdata%” in the dialog box. Click OK to launch the Roaming menu. Once you’ve detected a folder titled “Skype”, make sure to remove it by right-clicking on it and selecting Delete.
- Press Windows+R again and enter “regedit” in the dialog box, then hit OK. Click on Edit, then Find, and type in Skype to access the registry files. This is only recommended if you suspect that the program files have been corrupted and you want to remove them from your computer altogether.
Keep in mind that deleting all the files will also erase your Skype data, login credentials, chats, etc.
If you’re a Mac user, the process is quite similar, but steps and option names will be different:
- From the Dock, launch the Finder, then choose Applications.
- Locate the Skype for Business folder, and remove it from your computer using an uninstaller program. If you can’t seem to find the uninstaller program, you can simply drag the Skype folder over to the MacBook trash.
- You also want to access the Library to remove any remaining Skype for Business files, including cache.
7. Fix presenting status on Skype for Business
If your Skype for Business status is set to “Presenting – Do Not Disturb” and there’s no presentation or meeting in progress, you can adjust the settings to prevent this from happening.
Launch Skype for Business, then click on the gear icon in the top right corner. Click on Status, then look for the “Show me as Do Not Disturb when my monitor is duplicated” box and uncheck it.
This way your Skype business status won’t show up as presenting, especially when you connect your laptop to a separate monitor.
