What are the command line arguments for Skype.exe? And where are they documented?

[quote=dmorley123]What are the command line arguments for Skype.exe? And where are they documented?[/quote]

Does Skype for Windows have command line options?

Yes, you can use these options:

* /nosplash - do not display splash screen when Skype starts
* /minimized - Skype is minimized to system tray when it starts
* /callto:nameornumber - call the specified Skype Name or SkypeOut number
* /shutdown - close Skype

from:

http://www.skype.com/help/faq/windows.html

Thanks very much. I don't know why I didn't find it myself.

callto:nameornumber seems all good and well but can anyone show how they have used it. Am I correct in believing that the number has to be in +countrycodeareacodenumber format otherwise it does not work.

Of course use the country code + area code when inserting the number. How else Skype would know where exactly you want to call to

are there any command line arguments for the mac / unix bash shell?

There is also:

• /datapath:<<path where Skype's should write it's data files>>
• /removable

Luc

hi i want skype to start when windows loads but i dont want the window to appear just want icon in the tray....this use to just happen but more recently it has been 'maximising' on startup perhaps since the last update. Is there a straight forward way to do this or will i have to use command line? if so how do i do it...? figue i need to use the /nosplash one but no idea where to put it....

Cheers guys

You want the /minimized and /nosplash options and they should be found in your registry where your at startup programs start. These should follow the Skype.exe as:

Skype.exe /minimized /nosplash

do i make the changes in the registry editor??? current path is C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone....do i just add \minimized \nosplash if not, could you try and and walk me through it

cheers

Add \minimized \nosplash after the .exe portion of thr path using the registry editor and if there are quotes around the filename make sure these are outside the quotes. Like.

From Registry Key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Change the Skype String to be:

"C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized

Excuse me jamo if I'm wrong but...

But "Overlord", Jamo doesn't seem to know his registry from his arse - why didn't you tell him to put a shortcut in his 'start up' folder, it's more simple, and he doesn't run the risk of completely screwing his registry!!! You haven't even told him where in the reg to put in, or advised him of the risks involved!!

A Skype expert I can grant you, but it sounds like you know nothing about the windows platform. Please please Overlord, don't overstep your limits of knowledge.

Jamo (please excuse me if this is wrong, but I am working COMPLETELY from memory, as I don't use Windows at home - however, I am a Microsoft Windows Certified Professional Engineer (MCP)

I will guess you are running XP or 2000:

click Start > Run type in: %USERPROFILE%\startup

this will open a folder - whatever you put in this folder will run automatically when you start windows

richt click on a blank area within this folder, select "make shortcut" a window will appear.

in this windows type (or paste in): "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\skype.exe" \minimized \nosplash

type in the whole thing above including quotes (I'm guessing this is the path/location of where skype is installed

click next, give it a nice name, and finish the wizard

a new icon should appear in the folder.

The next time you logon/start you machine, it should start as you require

In future please post in Skype Forums > English > Platforms, community support > Skype for Windows, as this forum is for dev'ers

Thanks

What?

Anyway, please re-read my post. I answer questions, I don't make assumtions

I reread your post, after you had edited it, apart from the the reg location, my argument still stands - don't tell a normal user to edited the reg, unless it's COMPLETELY necessary, you didn't even ask him if he was familiar with the reg. The startup folder, is a lot easier - why not use that?

I have NO arguement with you, but...I will demand you treat everyone with respect on this forum, myself and everyone else, so try and control your insults.

Because the question was about how to do this using the registry, and it over-complcates things when the Skype client has the check boxes set to start at startup and also their is a secondary short cut to start Skype as well. Skype auto-starts at startup using the Registry.

PS: jambo, overlord's solution will work, but if you have multiple users on your computer it will start up for all users. Secondly if you would like to remove this in future, I would make a note of the location

and lastly - if you follow Overlord advice - PLEASE HEED THIS WARNING straight from Microsoft:

Using Registry Editor
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Ok, .lets backup and understand what process the Skype client uses when a Windows User wishes to have Skype automatically start. You seem to be very confused about this, so I will explain.

1. Skype, not me, places a Registry entry to "Start" Skype at startup for the current Windows user "Only" as you can see the Registry entry modification is NOT on a Machine basis when the User decides they want Skype to start at startup.

2. We need to let this person decide if they are or were ever confused, or have a limited concept of what using the registry editor can and cannot do.

Look, sorry maybe I came across a little harsh, but it annoys me when people jump straight to the registry before other things have been explored

The users question was:

his second question asks

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you are trying to explain here

I can't see why it over complicates to you a wizard, and where is the secondary shortcurt, in the startup folder? If so, then the user could just ammend this



I concede this point :-D

Again, the Skype Client is going to add/remove a registry entry each and every time that Skype name decides to enable/disable the Skype client to Auto-start from the Skype Client logon screen. I don't have Source code from Skype to change that

Adding a shortcut does NOTHING, because it will be attempting to start Skype ("After the Fact") because the registry entry would have been processed by Windows before the shortcut was.

Understand how Windows starts? Windows FIRST processes registry keys for programs that are set to launch, well in advance of looking for Shortcuts in the Startup folder, so since I don't have source code to Windows as well, I can't change that as well.

Your solution would NOT work in this case, because the registry entry missing the additional startup parms would have launched Skype, and when the request using your shortcut concept would attempt to launch a second copy of Skype it would fail because currently, 2 copies of the Skype client cannot run under the same Windows User Id.

My suggestion, is try it, and you will learn I am correct about this

So, I do actually know what I am talking about, and would NOT suggest your method with Skype, because it will NOT work, EVER...when the Skype client is going to auto-launch based on the check boxes on the Skype Logon window.

Understand?

If not, I am sure you now, at least, realize what the order of things processed are at startup by the Windows Operating Systems that you did not know before, at least,

The exact order of processing can be seen here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/179365/

As you can see the Startup folder is processed much later than the /Run registry keys are for both the Machine and User.

I do and in what you state, you are completely correct...

but, as an alternative (to avoid the registry) could it not be suggested to the user to untick the check box to auto-launch Skype, and make a shortcut as I suggested and explain that if the user would like to have it auto-start the usual way, then they delete the s/cut and replace the tick box?

(All I want to do is to have the user avoid the registry, I hate it, I hate Windows (even though I'm an MCP, and work with Windows)- that's why I'm on a mac now!!)

Or even better lets ask a Skype dev'er to add a 'sub tickbox' to the autostart tick box, which allows skype to start automatically and minimised :-)

Hopefully, the user knows about the dangers of modifying the registry, and that it should be backed up prior to changes, or at least create a system restore point.

We need to not assume anything about the Skill set of a person, let see what they say.

They asked a specific question about changing the registry, which is, in fact, currently, the best method to make these changes without asking this person to change startup options from the Skype Client as well.

If you would like, there is a method to make requests for enchancements to Skype, look at Item 5 here:

https://developer.skype.com/Support

If enough people decide they like the Idea, and Skype agrees, it could become an option :-)

well things got going here....i edited the registry before any other suggestions where made and thankfully it worked, i would have tried idarryl's approach had all the options been laid out as i have little idea of the consequences or the process of changing the registry, that said it seemed straight forward and i got the desired effect!

Although i'm not sure you're suggestion would have worked 'idarryl' as i am using a usb cordless phone and the software for this runs before skype and calls skype.exe to run, I have the box (run on start) in skype unchecked??? either way...

Cheers guys

Glad you have it all working as you wish, that's what counts.

Is there a command line argument I can use to specify the userid I want to log on with? (Windows XP, Skype 3.

I want to have a separate short cut for each ID and sign in automatically for the one I choose, not the last one I used.

Thanx

Andy

Not for Windows no

hi, i'm using the new beta 4.0 which is throning itself atop my screen whenever i boot up and giving me major anti-authority impulses like rerouting the startup shortcut to jajah. i checked the reg, already have the following:
"C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized

and yet it's still doing what it wants, no starting up minimized.

any ideas?

Currenly, there is no way to get around this unless you use silent mode and this is not always working at the moment with 4.0. You can try using my Internet Explorer Silent Mode Example here:

http://www.testing.onlytherightanswers.com/SilentMode.htm

NOTE: When Silent Mode is enabled/set NO Skype windows will display until you click on the Skype Icon located on the System Tollbar. Silent mode also works for 3.8 but all the time


If that is not good enough for you, I would suggest gong back to 3.8 then because 4.0 is still in Beta. You can downgrade here:

http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/

Hello!
How can I start the conference call by command line ?
Sure, I know about the /callto command (/callto:nameornumber)
but it's for single call only .
Can I make the conference call from the command line?
Thanks for any ideas.

Currently, this is not supported.