Advertisers use any available opportunities to promote their products and services and place advertisements literally everywhere: in in social networks, on forums, on a wide variety of sites and applications. It is especially inconvenient when an ad appears in the course of communication in instant messengers, so many disgruntled Skype users are looking for an opportunity to get rid of ads. We have collected the main ways to disable it in this program and will consider them further.
Change program settings
In Skype before version 7, there are internal tools that allow you to remove ads or at least reduce their number. To get this result, you need to change some program settings:
- Go to the settings via the "Tools" menu item.
- In the menu on the left, select the "Notifications" section, and in it the "Notifications and messages" item. Uncheck the box next to the "Promotions" label and click on the "Save" button. If you wish, you can also get rid of messages from Skype by unchecking the "Help and advice from Skype" item.
Now advertising will partially disappear. It will not pop up in the main window, but during the conversation, an advertising banner will still appear, but you can get rid of it too. To do this, you need to use one of the methods, which will be discussed later.
In previous versions of Skype, the user was able to remove and contextual advertising... If you prefer not to update the program, then you can get rid of annoying ads, selected by Microsoft based on your gender, age and other personal information, as follows:
- Go to the "Settings" menu item and find the "Security" section. Here you need to open additional settings.
- Uncheck the box next to the “Allow targeting ad display ...” box and save the changes.
Blocking via Internet Explorer
The essence of this method is to restrict access to the sources of advertising messages that Skype uses:
- Open Internet Explorer and select the "Browser Options" item in the "Tools" section of the menu.
- In the window that opens, go to the "Security" tab and find "Dangerous sites". Here we click on the "Sites" button.
Add to the list of dangerous sites:
- https://apps.skype.com
- https://rad.msn.com
- https://api.skype.com
- https://static.skypeassets.com
- https://adriver.ru
You need to do this one by one, clicking "Add" after each entered address.
Advice: if something went wrong and you run into a problem "", find out how to fix it.
Modifying the hosts and config.xml files
Another effective method disable display of advertisements - change the information contained in the hosts and config.xml files. The purpose of these changes is to prevent Skype from accessing servers with ads.
Stage 1 - Change the "hosts" file
- Find file. It is located on the Windows disk (usually C) in a folder located at: Windows \ System32 \ drivers \ etc.
- Open the file through the standard Notepad program.
Add additional lines at the end of the page (you can just copy them from here and paste them into the file):
- 127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com
- 127.0.0.1 adriver.ru
- 127.0.0.1 api.skype.com
- 127.0.0.1 static.skypeassets.com
- 127.0.0.1 apps.skype.com
These are the addresses of the servers from which Skype retrieves ads for displaying to users. It is important not to forget to put spaces before the names of the sites.
I suggest removing the small banner first. To do this, just click "Tools" - "Settings" in Skype.
On the right in the menu, select "Alert" - "Notifications and Messages" and uncheck the boxes next to the "Promotions" line, the most experienced Skype users can uncheck the box next to "Skype Help and Tips". Don't forget to click the "Save" button.
Next, select "Security" - "Security Settings" and uncheck the box next to the line "Allow the display of targeted Microsoft ads based on age and gender specified in Skype's personal data." Then save the settings by clicking the "Save" button.
After restarting Skype (turning it off and on), the small ad banner will disappear.
One of the ways to remove a large block of ads from Skype (do not rush to do this) is to register it in a file hosts, line 127.0.0.1 apps.skype.com... The hosts file is located in the C: \ Windows \ System32 \ drivers \ etc directory.
But by doing this, instead of advertising, you will receive various icons (mainly a question mark), which, in principle, will not suit many.
Better to do it differently, namely to launch IE, for this click "Start" - "Programs" - "Internet Explorer". Select "Service" - "Internet Property"
In the Internet Properties window, select the "Security" - "Restricted Sites" tab and add the line https://apps.skype.com... Do not forget to click the "Add" button, then close all windows and restart Skype (close and reopen Skype).
Skype is the most popular program for making calls and sending messages. After the purchase of this program by Microsoft, a lot of advertisements began to appear in it, which, in principle, does not interfere with making calls and correspondence, but can be quite annoying, because these banners are quite bright and constantly blinking. Even at the very start, banners with intrusive ads take up most of the program's workspace. This can lead to the fact that the user can accidentally click on ads and open unnecessary sites. Consider the question how to remove ads in Skype standard tools, customization of built-in Windows applications, as well as the use of third-party programs.
It should be noted that the most obvious methods do not lead to the desired result (meaning the installation of special settings in Skype itself). For these purposes, you need to edit hosts file or use third-party utilities that are guaranteed to get rid of Skype ads.
Software developers always try to provide complete software tools that help to implement the finest program settings for each user. Skype in this regard is also no exception, but in terms of advertising, they clearly decided to laugh at everyone. And although there is a point for disabling ads, it does not fully disable it.
- open the "Tools" item;
- select the "Settings" line;
- go to the "Security Settings" tab;
- uncheck the box shown in the screenshot;
- click "Save".
Exclude ads in Internet Explorer settings
This method is suitable for any version of the Windows operating system. The only thing that needs to be done in versions starting from Windows 8.1 is to install Internet Explorer with special advanced settings.
- open Internet Explorer;
- click on the "Service" menu item;
- go to the "Security" tab;
- click on the "Dangerous sites" icon (red crossed out circle) and click on the "Sites" button to display the list;
- using the "Add" button, enter the addresses https://rad.msn.com, https://apps.skype.com and add them to the list (shown in the screenshot);
- save your settings.
This method will allow you to disable pop-up ads, but does not guarantee 100% effect, because advertising banners can link to other resources. In this case, it is necessary to expand the list of blocked sites in the same way as described above.
A list of sites potentially affecting the display of ads on Skype:
- https://apps.skype.com;
- https://rad.msn.com;
- https://api.skype.com;
- https://static.skypeassets.com;
- https://adriver.ru.
Editing the hosts file to get rid of ads
This method is the most effective. To do this, you must perform the following sequence of actions:
- go to the address C: \ Windows \ System32 \ drivers \ etc to find the hosts service file and edit it;
- open the file in question using any text editor, for example, "Notepad" (remember that you need to open it for editing with administrator rights, otherwise, all changes made will not be saved);
- go to the bottom of the whole file and make the following entries: 127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com, 127.0.0.1 apps.skype.com (shown in the screenshot);
- save your changes and close the text editor.
Using Adguard to block ads on Skype
If none of the above methods worked, it is fashionable to use a special Adguard program that will help not only get rid of annoying ads, but also control traffic, preventing cybercriminals from using personal data. It can be presented as a browser extension, as well as a full-fledged program. But it is worth considering that the separately taken application is not free (a license purchase is required). It can be downloaded from the link.
The free Skype program (Skype) is designed for communication between users on the Internet. Many people like to communicate with each other using this application, because when communicating via Skype, any distance between people in completely different places and countries will not be an obstacle.
This free app has one feature that may annoy many users. When using the Skype program, advertisements are displayed in the program window. This ad is broadcast to the Skype program from Microsoft services.
Skype version 6.x
In this article, we will consider three ways to remove ads from Skype: ads will be disabled using the Internet Explorer browser, using the Windows operating system (additional entries will be made to the hosts file, which will block ads in Skype), using the Adguard program.
Enter the "Tools" menu, select "Settings ...". Then, in the left column, select the "Security" section. In the "Security Settings" tab, you will need to uncheck the box next to the item "Allow the display of targeted Microsoft advertising based on age and gender specified in personal data in Skype."
After completing this action, click on the "Save" button.
But, unfortunately, this setting has little effect, since ads will still be displayed in the Skype window.
In order to disable advertising in Skype, you can make changes to the Internet Explorer browser settings. Users in the Windows 7 operating system can immediately enter the program settings, and users in the Windows 8.1 operating system will need to install the version of the browser for the Desktop, if it has not been previously installed on your computer. The fact is that the default version of the Internet Explorer browser for the initial screen does not have advanced settings.
Launch the Internet Explorer browser, and then click on the "Tools" button in the upper right corner. In the context menu, select the "Browser options" item.
In the "Internet Options" window, open the "Security" tab. Select the "Dangerous Sites" zone to configure your security settings. Then click on the "Sites" button.
In the "Dangerous sites" window, using the "Add" button, add the following web addresses to the list of websites one by one:
Https://rad.msn.com https://apps.skype.com
After that, click on the "Close" button, and then on the "OK" button.
If this method did not work, then it will be possible to add several more addresses to the list of unwanted sites:
Https://apps.skype.com https://rad.msn.com https://api.skype.com https://static.skypeassets.com https://adriver.ru
There is another way that you can turn off the display of ads in Skype. This can be done using the tools of the Windows operating system by modifying the hosts file by adding some entries to the file that will block ads.
The hosts file is located in the folder with operating system Windows along this path:
C: \ Windows \ System32 \ drivers \ etc
This file does not have an extension, but it can be opened in any text editor, for example, using the Notepad application. If you simply open this file with a text editor, then you will not be able to save the changes made to the file, since administrator rights are required to save the host file.
In order for the changes in the hosts file to be saved, it will be possible to perform such an operation. Copy (or move) the hosts file to another folder on your computer. The easiest way is to copy the file to your Desktop. The desktop is just like any other folder on your computer.
127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com 127.0.0.1 apps.skype.com
You can just copy these entries from here, and then put them in the hosts file. If you want to manually add these lines to the hosts file, then after completing the input of a set of numbers, do not forget to make at least one space before the name of the site.
These lines are added to this file to block Microsoft servers that broadcast advertisements to the Skype program.
After making changes to the hosts file, these websites will be blocked on your computer.
After that, save this file. Then copy the saved file to the "etc" folder, replacing the original hosts file with it. Agree to apply the changes as an administrator.
After you finish making changes to the hosts file, you can start the Skype program again. After opening the main window of the program, you will see that the ads in the Skype program have been removed.
Now you can use the application, advertisements will no longer distract you from communicating on the Internet with your loved ones or acquaintances.
127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com 127.0.0.1 apps.skype.com 127.0.0.1 api.skype.com 127.0.0.1 static.skypeassets.com 127.0.0.1 adriver.ru 127.0.0.1 devads.skypeassets.net 127.0.0.1 devapps .skype.net 127.0.0.1 qawww.skypeassets.net 127.0.0.1 qaapi.skype.net 127.0.0.1 preads.skypeassets.net 127.0.0.1 preapps.skype.net 127.0.0.1 serving.plexop.net 127.0.0.1 preg.bforex .com 127.0.0.1 ads1.msads.net 127.0.0.1 flex.msn.com
It will be possible to radically solve the problem of advertising in Skype using the Adguard program. This is perhaps one of the best programs to block ads. This program protects your personal data, filters Internet traffic, prevents visiting fraudulent sites, exercises parental control, etc.
In the main window of the Adguard program, go to the "Application filtering" tab, and then click the "Add application" button.
In the window that opens, click on the "Select executable file ..." button.
skype folder
After that, the Skype program will be added to the list of filters in the Adguard program, and the ads in Skype will disappear.
Update 15.11.2016
Skype version 7.x
- We open my computer and turn on the display of hidden elements (tab “view” ➙ checkmark “hidden elements”).
- Open the drive C: \ the Users folder \ the folder with the username \ the AppData folder (it is hidden) \ the Roaming folder \ Skype folder.
(if you still have Windows XP, then the path will be C: \ Documents and Settings \ (Username) \ Application Data \ Skype) - We find the folder with your username (just like the username in skype).
- Opening the file config.xml in any text editor (not in Word or wordpad'e) - notepad will do.
- We find the lines and bring them to this type:
0 0 0 0 0 - We save the file.
- We change the file attributes by setting "read only" so that skype does not change our values back to us
- Open the host file (C: \ Windows \ System32 \ drivers \ etc \ host)
- Add the following entries to it: # Skype block 127.0.0.1 * .msads.net 127.0.0.1 * .msecn.net 127.0.0.1 * .rad.msn.com 127.0.0.1 * .rads.msn.com 127.0.0.1 *. ads?. * 127.0.0.1 ac3.msn.com 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net 127.0.0.1 adnexus.net 127.0.0.1 adnxs.com 127.0.0.1 ads?. * 127.0.0.1 adriver.ru 127.0.0.1 aka- cdn-ns.adtech.de 127.0.0.1 api.skype.com 127.0.0.1 apps.skype.com 127.0.0.1 bs.serving-sys.com 127.0.0.1 c.msn.com 127.0.0.1 c.msn.com. nsatc.net 127.0.0.1 cdn.atdmt.com 127.0.0.1 cds26.ams9.msecn.net 127.0.0.1 db3aqu.atdmt.com 127.0.0.1 ec.atdmt.com 127.0.0.1 flex.msn.com 127.0.0.1 flex. msn.com.nsatc.net 127.0.0.1 g.msn.com 127.0.0.1 live.rads.msn.com 127.0.0.1 msntest.serving-sys.com 127.0.0.1 preview.msn.com 127.0.0.1 rad.msn. com 127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com.nsatc.net 127.0.0.1 secure.flashtalking.com 127.0.0.1 sO.2mdn.net 127.0.0.1 static.2mdn.net 127.0.0.1 static.skypeassets.com 127.0.0.1 static- asm.secure.skypeassets.com 127.0.0.1 ui.skype.akadns.net 127.0.0.1 ui.skype.com
- Restart Skype
- If the advertising banner does not disappear, we reboot and try to carry out the procedure again, with Skype turned off (you will need to make sure that it does not start automatically).
Any user of the messenger has encountered intrusive advertisements while making calls or conducting correspondence. Advertising suspends the operation of the program and takes over part of the traffic. In such conditions, the question arises: "How to remove ads in Skype?" Below are some of the ways you can remove ads on Skype. We recommend that you use each of them, since there is no one hundred percent guarantee that ads will completely leave Skype if you use only one of them.
Disconnecting by adjusting settings
1 way
- Enter the program using your credentials.
- Select the "Tools" menu item.
- Go to "Settings".
- Select the section "Security" on the left.
- Go to the subsection "Security settings". If there is a button "Open advanced settings", click it.
- Find the item "Allow targeted advertising ..." and uncheck the box next to it.
- Click the "Save" button.
2 way
- Go to the main Skype menu in "Tools", then - in "Settings".
- Select Alerts.
- Click on Alerts and Alerts.
- Uncheck the "Promotions" box.
- Click "Save".
- Close Skype by clicking "Exit", then start again.
Disconnect via browser
Since the current owner of Skype, Microsoft, distributes Internet Explorer along with its software (meaning Windows OS), you need to work with the settings to disable ads in Skype through this browser, even if you do not use it.
2. Start IE.
3. Find the "Service" menu and click on it.
4. In the drop-down context menu, select "Browser options".
5.Click the "Security" tab in the properties window.
6. Select and click once on the red inhibit icon. It may be called Dangerous Sites or Restricted Sites.
7.After you have selected the icon, click on the button located just below (in the first case it will be called "Sites", in the second - "Nodes", respectively).
8. In a new, newly opened window called "Restricted sites" (or "Dangerous sites"), you need to click the "Add" button.
9.Enter the following address in the "Add to zone .... node" field: "https://rad.msn.com".
10.Click the "Add" button.
11.Enter another address in the same field: “https://apps.skype.com”.
12.Click Add again. After completing these actions, you will see that both of these addresses have moved one by one to the field located just below. It is called "Websites" or "Websites".
13. In the same way, enter three more addresses in this field (one at a time): "https://api.skype.com", "https://static.skypeassets.com", "https://adriver.ru" ...
14.Click Close.
The third way
2. Go to drive "C".
3. Enter the Windows folder.
4.Open the "System32" folder.
5. Go to the "drivers" directory.
6. Open the folder "etc".
7. In the folder, find the "hosts" file (for it to appear, you need to select the "All files" value below, under the "File name" line in the "Encoding" section.
8.Copy it to your desktop.
9.Open the file (you can open it using a regular notepad - a built-in system tool, but you need to do it with administrator rights on the computer by opening it by right-clicking and selecting "Run as administrator"). To open, right-click on the file and select "Open with ...", then select the "Notepad" program.
10. Look at the information that is written inside. Below the lines starting with a hash (#), you need to enter the following two lines:
- "127.0.0.1 rad.msn.com
- 127.0.0.1 apps.skype.com ".
11.Click the File menu in Notepad and select Save.
12.Close the file by clicking on the cross on the red background in the upper right corner.
13.Copy the file you just changed from your desktop back to the "etc" folder (where you copied it from). When the system asks you if you want to replace the target file, answer yes.
How do I remove ads using other programs?
1.First, you need to download the Adguard program by entering its name in the browser search engine and choosing a site to download.
2. Run the downloaded program.
3.Click Filterable Applications.
4.Click "Add Application".
5. In the newly opened window, select the "Select executable file" item.
6.Specify the path to the program (usually it "lies" in the program files on the "C" drive - "Programm Files".
7.Click "Open".
8. Everything. Skype has been added to the list of objects that Adgard will block, and you will enjoy Skype without ads!
Another way ...
Since all the previous methods can be used to disable ads, but not all, you should take care of disabling ads in advertising banners. For this:
- Open the Users folder on the C drive.
- Find inside the folder with your login, which you use in Skype. Open it.
- Go to the "AppData" ("Application Data") folder.
- Open the "Roaming" folder.
- Go to the "Skype" directory.
- Find another one inside the Skype folder - with your name and open it.
- Find the "config.xml" file and double-click to open it.
- Now you need to find the phrase "AdvertEastRailsEnabled" among the text. For this purpose, it is more convenient to use the search command (to call it, press the "Ctrl" and "F" keys and enter the above phrase in the search field.
- To remove advertising inscriptions, next to this phrase in two cases (in the first - in front of it, in the second - after) you will see the number "0". It needs to be corrected (in both cases) to the number "1".
- Choose Save from the File menu and close the file.
An alternative way to block ads on Skype is to deposit money. The fact is that some users have already noticed that if there is money on the Skype account, the amount of advertising is immediately reduced. If you plan to use not only free, but also paid services of this program, deposit a certain amount, then advertising will no longer bother you. To deposit money into your account:
- Go to Skype.
- Click on the "Skype" menu.
- Select "Deposit money into account ...".
- Indicate the amount of replenishment and the method.
- Confirm your actions by clicking "Continue".
After cleaning ...
After you have done everything in order to remove ads from Skype, you need to clear the cache just in case to block them permanently. After all, advertising is loaded from it, so it may appear for some time after all the above instructions have been completed. To prevent this from happening, do this:
- Go to the start menu.
- Open "Control Panel".
- Click on Network & Internet.
- Select Browser Options.
- Click on the General tab.
- In the "Browser history" section, click on the "Delete ..." button.
- In the window that opens, select (check the box) the item "Temporary files of the Internet and websites".
- Click the button on the right. It's called Delete.
In addition, it is recommended to do the cleaning using special programs, for example, CCleaner. After downloading from a reliable resource and installing this program, you need to open it and check the boxes next to all browsers opposite the line "Internet cache". Then click "Cleanup".
By applying a set of the above measures to remove ads and banner ads from Skype, as well as cleaning the registry and cache, you can get rid of intrusive messages and communicate freely with friends and family!
