If you’ve separate accounts for Skype and Windows Live Messenger then you can merge these into Microsoft account so that you can use it to sign into Skype. If you’ve not heard the news till now, Microsoft is retiring Windows Live Messenger and integrating it into Skype. In first quarter of 2013 all Apps for Windows Messenger will be retired in all countries worldwide except China where it continues to available.
Skype user need to update Windows client version to latest to merge Skype and Windows Messenger accounts into Microsoft Account. Don’t worry! all your Messenger contacts and IM feature will be available with in Skype.
To join Windows Messenger and Skype account into Microsoft Account follow below steps
1. If you’ve already Skype on Desktop, from help menu check for updates to download and install latest version or download the Skype Standalone version.
2. Sign into Skype with Microsoft account.
3. If you’re already using Skype then click on “I have a Skype account” on screen and proceed to next screen to merge Messenger acc. with your existing Skype account.
4. All your contacts in Messenger will be synced into Skype contact list. From the next time onwards you can sign into Skype with Microsoft account where you can able to contact Skype, Messenger friends and use IM feature.
Source: Skype blog
I didn’t use the “I have a Skype account”, but I want to merge my account now, any ideas?
yeah initially i didnt use that option but want to merge my skype account with windows live. I tried looking for any option if i get to merge the accounts but no luck. any idea on the same. looks like microsoft have made it bit complicated by introducing liveid
I too didn’t choose the merge option… and now I can’t seem to find a way to merge the two accounts. If anyone has a solution I would love to hear it.
Really? Is there no answer to this problem? I also didn’t merge the accounts because I did not even remember that I had used the same email address with Skype years ago. The problem occurred only after I tried to login from my cell phone and while trying to restore the password my old skype account popped out. One shot and if you miss it no can do?
And after you do that your Windows Live Messenger hast lost all contacts and in Skype you see them permanently offline as they see you offline.
DON’T DO IT IF YOU USE WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER! Only Skype will work as before after the merge.
In the first time, i do not choose “I have a Skype account”, how can i merge later on?
Guys, all you have to do is sign out of your Skype, sign in with your Windows Live account, and it’ll give you the option to merge your account with an existing Skype account.
Enjoy!
Justin – the whole idea behind people asking is that once you have initially signed over into Skype, you NO LONGER HAVE a Windows Live account. It is removed automatically. It becomes a Microsoft Account which is different again, and no longer offers the option to merge your account, as the old Windows Live would have.
The problem still remains. Once you allow your initial Windows Live account to transfer over to Skype independently of another existing Skype account, there is no avenue to recitfy it. You will simply have 2 Skype accounts. One can be signed in via Microsoft Account option, or can by Skype directly. And the other is only accessible by Skype. When you only have options of signing in by Microsoft Account, or Skype account, it seems the option for merging your Windows Live Account is already lost forever.
All is not lost…
Sign into Skype.com with your Microsoft account goto settings and choose unlink.
The next time you log back in it will prompt you with the option to merge again.
Adrian Grant is right. I had the same problem here few minutes ago. I was trying to link the account after the “initial offer” to merge account. Just to add on, after you click “Unlink” on the account page, there will be a pop up saying something about closing your account. Don’t worry about. Agree to it. Next login to Skype with your Microsoft account. I did encounter small problem here. It says Skype don’t recognize my account(dun dun dun~~~) Maybe because I just closed it a few seconds ago. Don’t worry if you encounter this. Just try login again. Then I guess at this point Skype see it as your first time login with your Microsoft account. It will bring up the “I have a Skype account” button again. You know what to do from here. Merge it this time! hahaha XD