Skype for Business (Windows)
A guide for Clarke University
Getting Started
All Clarke-owned machines come with the latest version of Microsoft Office, which includes Skype for Business. If believe your computer does not have Skype for Business, you can install it using the following instructions:
It is important to take some time and become familiar with the Skype for Business interface. To get started, open the application by clicking the Start button on the lower left of your desktop, and typing “Skype for Business”, and either press Enter or click on the application with your mouse.
You will then be prompted to sign in. As usual, sign in with your @clarke.edu email address. Be sure to use the format of .After this, input the same password you use across all Clarke services.
Searching for Skype for BusinessSigning in to Skype for Business
If your credentials were valid, you should have a window that looks like the following picture:
This will be your main window for Skype for Business. To stay organized, you’ll want to create groups where you can place future contacts. To do this, click on the Person Icon on the right-hand side, under the search button. It should look like this:
This select “Create a New Group”. A new group will be created, prompting you to name it. Simply type the desired name of the group:
To delete a group, right click it and select “Delete Group”.
Now you will need to add contacts to connect with other users. To do this, simply click on the bar containing “Find someone”, and type their name:
When you find the user you’re searching for, verify that you are adding the correct user. Most Clarke faculty/staff will have their occupation and department under their name, like our Senior Network Administrator, Roberto Dominguez:
As you can see, Skype for Business displays his name, as well as his occupation and department. To add Roberto (or any other contact), simply right click any part of his profile on your screen, and select “Add to Contacts List”, and then choose the group (from the previous steps) where you would like to put Roberto.
After you have added the contacts you require, there are many options. In your contacts list on your main screen, right click any contact to see these options:
*Send an IM
This option allows you to send a text message to another user, through the Skype for Business interface.
*Call
This allows you to have a voice conversation with another user, much like a regular phone call.
*Start a Video Call
Just like a regular call, you can have a conversation with another user, but you are also able to see their face, and they are able to see yours. (This requires a webcam.)
*Send an Email Message
This opens up your Outlook and brings up the New Message window, allowing you to send an email to another user, from your @clarke.edu address.
*Schedule a Meeting
This opens up your Outlook Calendar’s new event window. You can then input a subject and adjust meeting times, which will update your calendar. Unfortunately this will not update the other user’s calendar.
Copy
Choosing this option will copy the user’s email address to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it across many different applications.
Find Previous Conversations
This will open a window that allows you to access any conversation that you have had with another user. This is important because each time you log out of Skype for Business, your IM windows will be cleared.
*Copy Contact To
Allows you to make a copy of your contact and place it in another group.
*Move Contact To
Allows you to move a contact from one group to another.
*Remove from Group
Choosing this will delete your contact from its current group.
*Remove from Contacts List
This option deletes your contact from all groups.
Tag for Status Change Alerts
Clicking this button enables Status Change Alerts. This means that if a contact is currently busy, you will be notified once they are available, as well as any other status changes. (You can only see the status of contacts that have also added you as a contact.)
Change Privacy Relationship
This will bring up a few options with descriptions, the best option is to keep your Clarke contacts as “Colleagues”.
See Contact Card
This brings up more information about your contact, including phone number, email, and availability.
The most useful options are marked with *.
Making a Call
Calls with Skype for Business are meant to be simple and effective. You can transform a regular voice call into a video call at the push of a button. Here is what the call interface looks like:
Here we see many buttons. To change your voice call into a video call, press the Camera button:
To mute or unmute yourself, press the Microphone button:
To present (this will be covered in depth later), press the Monitor button:
To end the call, press the Telephone button:
To open the IM window with your contact, press the Chat Bubble button:
To see everyone that is in your call, and to mute individual users, press the Group button:
To add users to a call, press the Add Person button:
To see more options, press the Triple Dot button, you will also record from here (covered later):
To adjust volume or go on hold, press the Telephone with Gears button:
Presenting
As mentioned earlier, you can present to other users in your call by pressing the Monitor button:
Click this and then choose “Present Desktop…” to show the other users in your call a video feed of your desktop. Be sure to hide anything you would like to keep private. You can also present a PowerPoint file by pressing “Present PowerPoint Files…” and choosing the desired PowerPoint from your computer.
With this button, you can also share files from your computer by selecting “Add Attachments…” and choosing the desired file.
Recording
Skype for Business allows you to record calls, with and without video. To do this, click the Triple Dot button:
Then select “Start Recording”. This will record your conversation until you choose to stop recording, or once the call ends. Please note that users will be able to tell who is recording, via the Record button at the top. To view these recordings, navigate to your “Videos” file and into the “Lync Recordings” file. These files can be sent and moved just like any other file.
External Links
This guide has covered the basics of Skype for Business. For a comprehensive step-by-step tutorial, use this link:
For a Playlist made by Microsoft featuring short videos about certain features, use this link:
For more detailed and comprehensive support, use this link:
Skype for Business: A Guide for Clarke University 1