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Summary: IT Professionals should review the support requirements for the Skype for Business Web App and Skype Meetings App while planning for Skype for Business Server. This article is not intended for the users of these apps.
Once you've implemented Skype for Business Server, your organization's users will presumably have the Skype for Business client installed as part of the deployment process.
You get the Skype for Business download from the Microsoft 365 portal, and then install it on your computer. These steps usually take 10-15 minutes to do. Choose from the instructions below. Skype for Business (SFB) is a business-focused app that allows you to instant message, phone and video call, screen share, host and record meetings, and generally collaborate with your colleagues. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Lync, then you’re in luck – Lync was rebranded to Skype for Business in. May 30, 2019 Download the latest version of Skype for Business for Mac - Powerful collaboration tools for business. Read 1 user reviews of Skype for Business on MacUpdate.
Later on, those users may create meetings and invite users from outside the organization, and those meeting invitees may not have any version of the Skype for Business client. When those users click the URL for the meeting invite, the lack of a client will be detected and the invitee without a Skype for Business client will be asked to download and install a lightweight, meetings-only client so they can join the meeting.
Note
The Skype for Business Web App and Skype Meetings App are only available when trying to log in to a meeting without having Skype for Business. User help for these apps is at https://aka.ms/smahelp.
Note
You can't pre-install either the Skype for Business Web App or Skype Meetings App, but smart phone and tablet users may be able to install inexpensive mobile clients they can use to attend meetings.
By default, the server hosting the meeting will direct the user to download and install Skype for Business Web App to join the meeting. The Skype for Business Web App is stored on the Front End Server and gets sent to the meeting attendee.
For Skype for Business Server, Skype Meetings App (on Windows) and Skype for Business for Mac (on Mac) are available as replacements for Skype for Business Web App beginning with CU5, but providing the replacement apps requires the additional configuration described in Enable Skype Meetings App to replace Skype for Business Web App (Optional). If Skype Meetings App and Skype for Business for Mac are enabled, users will download the latest version of the apps from the Microsoft 365 or Office 365 Content Delivery Network (CDN) rather than from your Skype for Business server. For Skype for Business Server 2019, using Skype Meetings App and Skype for Business for Mac is the only option.
Skype Meetings App offers a simplified browser experience for downloading and installing the app and joining meetings, including one-click join for users of Internet Explorer. Skype Meetings App also has many improvements over the Skype for Business Web App for reliability and the meeting experience.
Note
As of Skype for Business Server 2015 CU5 or later, meetings held using Skype for Business Online will no longer send a clientless user the Skype for Business Web App, they will instead be sent Skype Meetings App (on Windows) or Skype for Business for Mac (on Mac). As of Skype for Business Server 2015 CU5 or later, if you Enable Skype Meetings App to replace Skype for Business Web App (Optional), clientless users will be sent Skype Meetings App or Skype for Business for Mac instead of Skype for Business Web App.
Software requirements
To use the Skype for Business Web App, a user must have one of the following supported operating system and browser combinations.
Operating System and minimum browser support for Skype for Business Web App
Operating system | Edge | 32- and 64-bit Internet Explorer 11 or later | 32- and 64-bit Internet Explorer 10 or later | 32- and 64-bit Internet Explorer 9 or later | 32- and 64-bit Version of Safari 6.2.8 - 11.X | 32- and 64-bit Version of Chrome 18.X or later |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows 10 | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes ❸ |
Windows 8.1 ❶ | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes ❸ |
Windows 8 (Intel based) ❶ | N/A | N/A | Yes | N/A | N/A | Yes ❸ |
Windows 7 with SP1 ❷ | N/A | Yes | No | No | N/A | Yes ❸ |
Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1 ❷ | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes ❸ |
macOS 10.8 and later (Intel-based) ❷ | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes |
❶ The Skype for Business Web App browser plug-in requires a specific sharing plugin to use computer-based voice, video, sharing, and viewing of ongoing screen sharing and other features. A meeting attendee is given the option to install the sharing plug-in either when they join the meeting or when they initiate one of these features. On Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, the sharing plug-in can be installed only if you're running Internet Explorer 10 or Internet Explorer 11 for the desktop. These features are not available with non-desktop versions of Internet Explorer 10 and 11. Note that Firefox and Safari version 12.0 and later is no longer supported.
❷ On supported Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Macintosh operating systems, all features are available including computer-based voice, video, application viewing, application sharing, desktop viewing, and desktop sharing. To use these features, you must install a plug-in when prompted. Note that Mac OS X version 10.7 is no longer supported. Also note the web app will not install on OS X 10.15 or later. We recommend using the latest version of Skype for Business for Mac which supports anonymous join scenarios moving forward.
❸ Accessing the Web App from Chrome on Windows will launch a small program which loads the Web App in an embedded Internet Explorer frame. This program requires one of the supported versions of Internet Explorer be installed for the Web App to load properly.
Note
Microsoft 365 and Office 365 users can use Internet Explorer 10 or later with Skype for Business.
Skype Meetings App
Skype Meetings App runs as an app on computers using Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, with 32- and 64-bit Internet Explorer 11 or later installed.
For any other dependencies, refer to Supported platforms for Skype Meetings App
Skype for Business for Mac
Skype for Business for Mac runs on computers using macOS version 10.8 or later.
Hardware requirements
Computer hardware requirements are determined by the operating system and browser. Voice and telephony features require a microphone and speakers, headset with microphone, or equivalent device compatible with the computer. Video features require a video device compatible with the computer. For detailed information about video hardware support and expected video quality, see Skype for Business client video resolutions.
Network requirements
If a user of Skype for Business Web App or Skype Meetings App experiences meeting connection issues, chances are their organization's network infrastructure is not configured to support Office 365 as described in Office 365 URLs and IP address ranges. This is the case whether the meeting was created by a user of Skype for Business Online or Skype for Business Server.
If the user is on a network not configured as described, many app features may or may not work and they may not be able to connect to the meeting at all.
Supported Meetings features
This table compares the Meetings features available to users of the Skype for Business client, Skype for Business Web App, Skype Meetings App, and Lync Web App. Lync Web App is listed for feature comparison purposes: a user would only be downloading and using Lync Web App if the meeting was hosted on a Lync 2013 server.
Feature/capability | Skype for Business 2016 or 2019 client | Skype for Business on Mac client | Skype Meetings App | Skype for Business Web App | Lync Web App |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Add computer audio | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ (requires plug-in) | ✔ (requires plug-in) | ✔ (requires plug-in) |
Add video | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ (requires plug-in) | ✔ (requires plug-in) | ✔ (requires plug-in) |
Switch audio to a phone for authenticated participants | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Switch audio to a phone for guest participants | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
View multiparty video (gallery view) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Video-based screen sharing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔(View-only) | ||
Use in-meeting presenter controls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Access detailed meeting roster | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Participate in multiparty IM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Set IM messages as high importance | ✔ | ||||
Share the desktop (if enabled) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ (requires plug-in) | ✔ (requires plug-in) | ✔ (requires plug-in) |
Share a program (if enabled) | ✔ | ✔(On Windows only; requires plug-in) | ✔(On Windows only; requires plug-in) | ✔(On Windows only; requires plug-in) | |
Take control of another user's shared desktop or program | ✔ | ✔ (❶ On Windows only; requires plug-in) | ✔ (❶ On Windows only; requires plug-in) | ✔ (❶ On Windows only; requires plug-in) | |
Let another user take control of your shared desktop or program | ✔ | ||||
Add anonymous participants (if enabled) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Invite participants by name | ✔ | ✔ | |||
Invite participants by phone number | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Invite participants by email | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Use dial-in audio meetings | ✔ ❷ | ✔ ❷ | ✔ ❷ | ✔ ❷ | ✔ ❷ |
Initiate a Meet Now meeting | ✔ | ✔ | |||
Record a meeting | ✔ | ||||
Add and download attachments | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Add and present Microsoft PowerPoint files | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Navigate Microsoft PowerPoint files | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Add and edit OneNote meeting notes | ✔ | Edit only (not add) | Edit only (not add) | Edit only (not add) | |
Use a whiteboard | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Conduct polls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Upload files to share with others | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Schedule a meeting or conference | Outlook or Skype for Business Web Scheduler | Outlook or Skype for Business Web Scheduler | Skype for Business Web Scheduler | Skype for Business Web Scheduler | Skype for Business Web Scheduler |
Q&A Manager | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Disable attendee video | ✔ | ||||
Disable meeting IM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Mute audience | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Make everyone an attendee | ✔ | ||||
Produce Skype Meeting Broadcast | ✔ |
❶ Participants can't control desktops that are shared by Skype for Business for Mac, Lync for Mac 2011 or Communicator for Mac 2011 users. This also won't work for Skype for Business Web App on Max OSX.
❷ For Skype for Business Online, this feature requires Microsoft PSTN Conferencing, Exchange Unified Messaging, or a 3rd party audio conferencing provider.
❸ The Lync for Mac 2011 client cannot view Microsoft Office 2013 PowerPoint presentations when they have been shared in a conference by the Skype for Business Web App.
Known issues and troubleshooting
For End-users, the online help for these apps is readily available. IT Professionals should be aware of the following issues:
If the user is on a network not configured to meet the Network requirements, many app features may or may not work and they may not be able to connect to the meeting at all.
Some users may have corporate-administered computers with disabled permission to install apps. for those users, neither app is an option, but smart phone and tablet users may be able to install inexpensive mobile clients they can use to attend meetings.
Other installation issues are also covered in the help topics.
Users may see a firewall warning the first time they run the meetings app. They may be prompted to open ports to optimize the experience, and this may require Admin privileges on the machine they may not have. The app should still function and the user can safely decline to open the requested ports.
You must have ActiveX enabled without filtering in Internet Explorer, even if IE is not your default browser. In Skype for Business Web App, an ActiveX control—a small module that adds additional features to a web app or other program—is required for audio, video, and screen sharing.
For some features of Skype for Business Web App to work correctly, you must allow your browser to save cookies on your computer or device.
You may need to turn on JavaScript support in your browser for some Skype for Business Web App features to work as expected.
AES Support
As of Skype for Business Server 2015 CU5, AES is not supported for ASP.NET 4.6 and this may cause Skype Meetings App to fail to start. Cryptographic requirements due to ASP .NET 4.5 has more details.
See also
Skype for Business (SFB) is a business-focused app that allows you to instant message, phone and video call, screen share, host and record meetings, and generally collaborate with your colleagues. If you’ve ever used Microsoft Lync, then you’re in luck – Lync was rebranded to Skype for Business in 2015, refining Lync’s core functionalities ever since.
Please note this is a separate product from Skype for consumers. It’s an important distinction to make since SFB should not be viewed as a phone replacement or VOIP Service. It cannot make emergency phone calls. It serves as a lightweight collaboration tool. Any business using the Microsoft ecosystem, particularly small businesses, should take a look at SFB. It seamlessly integrates with Outlook from where you can create Skype meetings and populate your contact list. It offers a variety of plan options at attractive prices, though making sense of that spider web proves difficult (see here). Last but not least, Microsoft has already announced that Teams will be replacing SFB and when sunset occurs, it isn't clear.
An enjoyable experience
Simplicity is its strength
At its core, SFB allows you to select another SFB user from a contact list and from there, start an instant message conversation, make a call (video if you have that capability), or share your screen. Additional features build from that basic premise.
Skype For Business Mac Download
Easy learning curve and intuitive UI
The application tucks toward the side of your screen, and goes for the tall and skinny look. Your name falls at the top along with your picture, availability status (available, away, do not disturb, etc.), and a personal message for your contacts to see if you choose to write one. Below that sit four icons across the menu – Contacts, Conversations, Meetings, Settings. These determine what you see in the body of the application. It defaults to Contacts, which means most of the time you’ll be looking at your contact list when the app is open. Your contacts each have a picture, availability status, and video capability indication. Managers can check on the idle time of their employees as SFB shows a timestamp for how long someone has been away from their computer.
From there go about your usual use case. Double click on your colleague’s icon and up comes the conversation window. More icons appear allowing you to make a call, share your screen, or send a file. You can also find a “+” icon on the upper right to expand this conversation to more people. Invite the whole office, if you'd like! Some subscription levels allow up to 250 people in a conversation.
The SFB plug-in for Outlook rocks. Once installed, all you need to schedule a Skype meeting from Outlook is to make a new meeting, click on the SFB icon plug-in, and it auto populates your conference information in the body of the meeting. Add your attendees, an agenda, and pick a time, and you are off to your next game of conference call bingo.
Flexibility for including non-SFB users to your meetings and calls help SFB stand-out as a great tool for collaboration. When invited to a SFB meeting, non-SFB users have the ability to download the SFB Web App to their browser. The app allows for HD video conferencing, IM in meetings, presentation viewing, desktop sharing, whiteboard, lobby, and presenter access controls. The app also enables PC-based audio and video. The only drawback is that other SFB functionalities like viewing a user’s presence or contact information are unavailable.
Where can you run this program?
Luckily, Microsoft serves up a free client that you can try. According to the website, the free basic client provides presence, instant messaging, and conferencing features. If you are licensed for Office 365 ProPlus, Office 365 Enterprise E3 and Office 365 Enterprise E4, you are also licensed for the full Skype for Business Windows desktop client, which includes additional features including advanced telephone support, archiving, and compliance features.
Is there a better alternative?
Microsoft has made it clear that Teams will replace SFB but gives no clear date when the service in question will shut down. While the UI of SFB is preferable, Teams has some clear advantages when it comes to features, specially for larger organizations. Persistent chat (think chat rooms) and greater integration with other Microsoft Office suite products is one advantage of Teams. It’s also the future-proof choice given more development is unlikely with SFB.
Slack is another very popular alternative. It has one of the best UIs in the business; mass adoption so you’re bound to find others in your organization that have some experience with it; and a target painted on its back: Microsoft developed Teams to compete with it.
Our take
Small businesses should take a hard look at SFB for their communication needs. That is, if they don’t already subscribe to Office 365 which bundles it. Large businesses may want the more robust features of full-fledged VOIP services or Teams. Its simplicity is its forte. Microsoft Teams – the replacement for SFB – can appear cluttered and less intuitive, albeit more capable.
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Should you download?
Does your office participate in the modern, remote-work era where it might need IM, video calling, and teleconferencing? Does it use Microsoft products? If so, it probably already has SFB and if not, the free version lies a few clicks away. So, go for it.
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