How to Block Ads on Skype

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methods

1Windows

2macOS

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This How.com.vn teaches you how to block ads in Skype for Windows and macOS. It’s not possible to block Skype ads on unrooted mobile phones and tablets.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Windows

1. 
   1
   Press ⊞ Win+S. This opens the Windows Search bar.
2. 
   2
   Type internet options into the search bar.
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3. 
   3
   Click Internet Options. It’s the option with “Control Panel” below.
4. 
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   Click the Security tab. It’s the second tab from the left.
5. 
   5
   Click Restricted sites. It’s the circle with a line through it near the top of the window.
6. 
   6
   Click Sites. If any websites are currently blocked, they’ll appear in the large box at the bottom of the window.
7. 
   7
   Type apps.skype.com into the box and click Add. The address you just entered now appears in the box at the bottom of the window.
8. 
   8
   Type g.msn.com into the box and click Add.
9. 
   9
   Click Close. This brings you back to the Restricted Sites area of the Internet Options screen.
10. 
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    Click OK.
11. 
    11
    Open Skype. You should find it in the

    

    menu. Now that you’ve blocked the ad servers, Skype ads should no longer appear.

    • You may see errors where ads would otherwise appear, but they shouldn’t affect the functions of Skype.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

macOS

1. 
   1
   Open a Finder window. You can usually do this by clicking the Finder icon (a smiling face that’s half gray, half blue) in the Dock.

   • This method will help you block the addresses of Skype’s ad servers by adding them to your Mac’s hosts file. You’ll need the administrator password to do this.
   • You should only complete this method if you’re comfortable using your Mac’s command line.
2. 
   2
   Click Applications. It’s in the left sidebar. This displays a list of applications on your computer.
3. 
   3
   Double-click the Utilities folder.
4. 
   4
   Double-click Terminal. This opens a terminal window, where you can enter commands and edit text files.
5. 
   5
   Type sudo nano /etc/hostsat the prompt and press ⏎ Return. You will be prompted to enter your password.
6. 
   6
   Type your administrator/root password and press ⏎ Return. Once your password is accepted, your Mac’s hosts file will open in a text editor called Nano.
7. 
   7
   Use the arrow keys to place the cursor below the last line. The line should be blank except for the cursor.
8. 
   8
   Type 127.0.0.1 and press Tab ↹. A space will appear after the number.
9. 
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   Type skype.api.com and press ⏎ Return. The cursor will move to the beginning of the next line, where you’ll enter a second address and host name.
10. 
    10
    Type 127.0.0.1 and press Tab ↹.
11. 
    11
    Type skype.ad.com and press ⏎ Return.
12. 
    12
    Press Control+O. This saves the changes you made to the hosts file.
13. 
    13
    Press Control+X. This exits the hosts file and brings you back to the command line. Now that you’ve made changes to the hosts file, you’ll need to flush your Mac’s DNS cache to finish blocking the ads.
14. 
    14
    Type sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and press ⏎ Return. You will be prompted to enter the password once more.
15. 
    15
    Type the administrator/root password and press ⏎ Return. In a few moments, your computer’s DNS server will restart. You should now be able to use the Skype app on your Mac without advertisements.

    • You may see errors where ads would otherwise appear, but they shouldn’t affect the functions of Skype.
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