The voice over IP client Skype 4 is another example of a lite application. It tries to optimize Skype 4 by blocking several of its components during installation. There are two ways of achieving this. The first is by downloading a Skype 4 Lite installer which is a execute and install type of approach. The second is by downloading Skype 4 Business which comes as a msi file. This msi file can be run with parameters that block several components from being installed.

The components that will not be installed are the Skype plugins for web browsers like Firefox and Internet Explorer, the Skype Plugin Manager and Skype Toolbar. Furthermore autostart of Skype 4 will be disabled and the generation of the Skype icon on the computer desktop will be blocked.

What are the benefits of this installation method? Skype 4 will noticeable startup faster and overall performance during usage is increased. You can download the custom installer for Skype 4 at the Custom Installers homepage.

Download Skype 4 Business from the Skype homepage for the second method. This will download SkypeSetup.msi to the local computer. To install Skype 4 Lite issue the following command (via MSFN Forum)

start /wait msiexec /i SkypeSetup.msi INSTALLLEVEL=1 STARTSKYPE=FALSE ALLUSERS=1 TRANSFORMS=:removeStartup.mst TRANSFORMS=:removeDesktopShortcut.mst /qr

The most important parameter is setting the installlevel to 1 which will tell the installer only to install the phone components and not the plugins or the plugin manager. The other parameters should be pretty much self explanatory.