Skype users who have switched from Windows XP or Windows Vista to Windows 7 recently may have noticed that the Skype icon remains in the Windows 7 taskbar even if Skype is minimized. This was not the case in the other two operating systems, and frankly it should not be that way.
Two options are available to remove Skype from the Windows 7 Taskbar. The first solution is to run Skype in Vista compatibility mode. A right-click on the Skype icon in the Windows start menu and the selection of properties opens a new Window with configuration options.
The compatibility tab holds those options. Here it is possible to activate the compatibility mode by checking “run this program in compatibility mode for”, and selecting Windows Vista (Service Pack 2) from the list.
skype compatibility mode
A click on OK saves the settings. Skype needs to be restarted before it runs in compatibility mode. It is now possible to minimize the Skype window and close the taskbar icon (by right-clicking) so that Skype does not appear in the Windows 7 taskbar all the time. A side-effect is that the jumplist is no longer available.
A better solution is found in the Skype options. Select Tools > Options in Skype. Click the advanced tab afterwards, and locate “Keep Skype in the taskbar while I’m signed in”. Unchecking that option ensures that Skype will not stay in the taskbar if minimized. Please note that you need to disable the compatibility mode first for this option to become available.
skype windows taskbar
Skype still needs to be closed in the taskbar after the window has been minimized. This is done by right-clicking Skype and selecting Close Window from the context menu.
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Why my taskbar is on the right side of the screen
Perfect, thanks for tip. That was indeed annoying.
Good Article