Skype: Disable those annoying Adverts

[Esva]

 

So as many users have noticed, Skype have been overlaying banner ad's at the top of windows, to the side of them and during video calls but they have a new "Fun" ad's that play sounds that completely destroy a call, Fatal if you're streaming while talking to someone on skype. And I'm going to show you how to stop this completely. 

 

So read on, and as customary, modification of files you do at Your Own Risk

 

---------------------------------------------------

 

Step 1: Make sure your Skype client is up-to-date by going to Help > Check for updates. Once finished, completely exit Skype.

 

Step 2: Head to the Control Panel and click on Internet Options. This settings area may be hidden under Network and Sharing Center if you don't see a direct shortcut for it.

 

Step 3: Click on the Security tab and select the Restricted Sites icon.

 

Step 4: Press the Sites button and type https://apps.skype.com in the text box, then press Add.

 

Restart Skype for the changes to take effect. 

 

 

Now is some cases this is enough to stop the Ad's, but we want to make sure they can't come back the next time you update so, keep reading

 

 

Step 5: Shut down Skype & head to C:\users\[your user name]\App Data\Roaming\Skype\[your Skype username]. You should see a config.xml file in this directory. Right-click it and choose Edit, then find the line that says <AdvertPlaceholder><AdvertPlaceholder> and delete the entire line. Make sure to save your changes to the file before exiting.

 

You can use Ctrl+F to find the line quickly.

 

 

Note: If you do not see the App Data folder, it's probably because you don't have Show hidden files enabled. Click the Organize button > Folder and search options > View tab > mark the radio button next to Show hidden files, folders, or drives.

 

 

Step 6: Mark the config.xml file as read-only by right-clicking the file and choosing Properties. Check the box next to Read-only and click OK.

 

Now your chat window and video conferences will be free of advertisements.

 

 

Hope it helps ya :D 

Edited May 31, 2015 by Esva