A plea.

Question

This morning I was asked to upgrade to the latest version of Skype. I chose not too, because I learned that the newer versions forcibly erase your chat history every 30 days. I have memory problems, and nearly three years invested in Skype. I downloaded it back when it was version 5.10.0.116 and I have sworn by it ever since. What you are about to read is a record of a live chat that I had with one of the helpers. I hope you all find it enlightening, and decide to spread the word about just what the newer versions, and Microsoft's desire to look ahead without glancing back, is costing people like me.
Renz J: at 9:00:36
Hello! Welcome to Skype Live Support. My name is Renz. How can I help you today?
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:01:31
Hey, I don't think this will take very long. I was using a much older, pre-Microsoft era version of Skype that was just retired today. And I'm worried that by upgrading to the latest standard, my many years of chat history will be erased. Do I have anything to worry about?
Renz J: at 9:02:29
What's the version that you previously have?
Renz J: at 9:02:47
Because latest versions of Skype only stores chat history for the passed 30 days.
Renz J: at 9:03:39
I'm afraid that if you have been using an older version that stores chat history for more than 6 months, you will lose it once you update the version of the Skype Application.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:04:15
I don't think I can bring myself to update then, unless a patch is made. I have memory problems, and one of the only ways for me to stay sane and up to date is to be able to go back in and look at my past when I forget something...
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:05:21
I made a backup of the folder before I shut down last night, so I know the history will be saved in some form. But this is beyond distressing.
Renz J: at 9:05:28
I'm afraid that you may find difficulties with the latest versions.
Renz J: at 9:05:47
We have been receiving feedbacks about it, Marcus.
Renz J: at 9:06:02
And we are tracking on each report to be forwarded to our developers.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:06:48
Give me a moment then and I will forward you the number of the version that I've been using. Because I literally cannot bring myself to be on a version of Skype that will erase so much that means so much to me.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:07:11
The .msi file is listed as "SkypeSetup_5.10.0.116."
Renz J: at 9:07:37
Are you still able to use that version till now?
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:08:37
I was up until I tried to sign on a few minutes ago. It told me that I'm using an outdated version, and must update in order to keep using. However I was signed in for just the briefest of moments, making me think there was potentially a way around the block. I'm not going to keep my hopes up though...
Renz J: at 9:09:32
Well all older versions from 6.13 has been retired already.
Renz J: at 9:09:46
And the only way you can use Skype is to update its version.
Renz J: at 9:10:34
However, you will lose the chat history from the passed 30 days on the Skype Application.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:12:24
Then I'm begging you, literally begging you, please send a record of this chat to somebody. Skype has been my only means of keeping in touch with people via instant message for the last several years. There is so much history on it that I go through, stories that I wrote and shared but never saved anywhere else. I can't lose that. I just can't. I hope - pray - somebody can unretire the older versions. I... Please.
Renz J: at 9:13:06
Let me see if I can do something about it.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:13:07
Thank you.
Renz J: at 9:15:31
Okay, Marcus.
Renz J: at 9:16:00
I just clarify what will happen on the old files where your chat history is stored.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:16:16
Okay.
Renz J: at 9:18:01
And the answer is you can no longer use the old files to view your previous chat history on any Skype Application.
Renz J: at 9:18:16
Because latest versions of Skype only stored 30 days chat history.
Renz J: at 9:18:39
I do apologize, Marcus.
Renz J: at 9:18:45
But those are the recent changes with Skype.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:20:27
Then I'm going to beg you again to send a record of this conversation to somebody in the higher ranks, or whatever it is you have. I'm crying right now. I will be losing a part of myself if I'm forced to update, which I will not be doing. Instead I'm going to hold out, and pray that somebody will realize what they're costing people like me, who have invested so much time and effort. Again, the version I stand by is SkypeSetup_5.10.0.116.
Renz J: at 9:21:42
Well these changes has been made for all Skype users all over the world.
Renz J: at 9:21:54
And the only version that you can use is 6.14.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:23:01
I know that. But if a version like the one I was using could remain in use until just a few hours ago, then I have faith it is possible to reinstate it so to speak. Please, I am begging you. I am -begging- you, let somebody know about this. I have never been so desperate in my life.
Renz J: at 9:23:49
I understand your situation, Marcus.
Renz J: at 9:25:54
But the only version that is available is 6.14 as all previous versions has been force retired already.
Renz J: at 9:26:16
I have talked to my supervisor about it and it happens to all Skype users.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:26:52
I am going to be losing the last two years of my life...
Renz J: at 9:27:56
I do apologize, but all Skype users are affected by these changes.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:28:39
So other people have just lost their memories of me as well...
Renz J: at 9:29:25
I'm afraid that happened to others as well.
Renz J: at 9:29:36
And what we can do now is to embrace the changes that have made.
Renz J: at 9:29:57
And if you still want to use Skype, all users are forced to get the latest versions.
Renz J: at 9:32:48
I will take note of your feedback and passed it along to our developers for review.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:32:56
I know it won't mean anything... Probably not result in anything... But I'm going to start a forum thread, drawing awareness to this. If it's possible for people to produce old Atari and NES catridges to this day, and bring old games back from the brink, able to be played on modern systems, I don't see why it's impossible for an older version of Skype to be brought back out of retirement. I will keep my history until I no there is absolutely no way at all that I know I will never see it again. And even then, I will keep the folder that I created. But, for now, I will hope - pray - that some sort of awareness can be achieved. In a world already full of suffering, there doesn't need to be any for people like me who want to live in the past.
Renz J: at 9:33:15
I'm sorry but that's really what's going on.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:33:27
I understand. It doesn't make it any less damaging.
Renz J: at 9:34:23
That's the best thing you could do for all Skype users to aware of your situation.
Renz J: at 9:34:37
The file where your chat history is being saved is the main.db.
Renz J: at 9:34:44
Make sure to keep that file.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:34:53
I will.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:34:55
Always.
Renz J: at 9:35:20
Thank you for your understanding, Marcus.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:35:46
Thank you for trying to help. I hope you support me, once I start the forum thread. It would mean the world to me.
Renz J: at 9:36:30
Yes, I will look for that forum thread and support you.
Renz J: at 9:36:34
It's been a pleasure assisting you today. I hope you continue to enjoy Skype.
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:36:44
I do, too. Thank you, Renz.
Renz J: at 9:37:11
Have a great day!
Marcus Bowenford: at 9:37:12
I'll try...
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Answer 1

The information you have received from Skype Live Support is ALL WRONG. All your chat history is saved locally on your computer in the main.db database file, and if you have selected Keep history forever in IM settings, then nothing will be erased.
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA392/where-can-i-find-my-conversation-history-in-skype-for-windows...
This is true for the very newest Skype version, as it also was for the older versions.
The misleading statement that the messages are erased after 30 days concerns only the history that is saved on Skype servers for the purpose of synchronization between Skype applications installed on different devices and for delivering of Offline messages. This option was not even available with the older Skype versions.
If you update your Skype, all your chat history will be preserved; unless you self delete it.