In what year did Microsoft acquire Skype?

Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011, agreeing to buy Skype Communications for approximately $8.5 billion.

Microsoft announced the deal on May 10, 2011, and the acquisition was completed on October 13 of that year. Skype became a Microsoft division, giving the software giant a major consumer communications service built around internet voice calls, video chat, messaging, and calls to traditional phone numbers.

Skype had already changed ownership before Microsoft entered the picture. eBay purchased the company in 2005, then sold a majority stake to an investor group in 2009. Microsoft’s purchase therefore followed a short period in which Skype operated with outside ownership before becoming part of a major technology platform.

The acquisition also led Microsoft to integrate Skype into its wider product lineup. Skype replaced Windows Live Messenger for consumer messaging, while a business-focused version was developed from Microsoft’s Lync product. The year 2011 is the canonical answer because it identifies the acquisition agreement and Microsoft’s purchase; October marks the deal’s formal completion.