I can't see if my contacts are online on skype

Hi,

What’s the exact Skype version that you’re using? Can you try to check if you can still see your previous conversations with your contacts?

I look forward to your response.

Hi,

What’s the exact Skype version that you’re using? Can you try to check if you can still see your previous conversations with your contacts?

I look forward to your response.

I am using SKYPE 12.1811.248.0 and find it absolutely horrible.  I am unable to understand Microsoft's goal, are they attempting to make Skype just a little bit worse with each and every update or are the individuals assigned to this just so removed from the real world that they no longer function with any proper scope of logic?

At this moment it appears I have a choice of ALL or UNREAD.

what I'd like to know is who is on 

I would like the ability o to adjust my setting instead of on an On/OFF button

The other issue is that Skype no longer recognizes my webcam USB and shuts it off

I have nothing but problems 

Hello jamesjones8,            

Thank you for the feedback.

If you are seeing the All or Unread options, you have the Recent tab up. Just click on the Contacts tab for you to be able to view the status of your contacts.

Unfortunately, for the Skype for Windows 10 (UWP), it only has the On/Off toggle switch. You can try using the classic Skype: Click Skype downloads. > Click the v for the dropdown; then select Get classic Skype.

As for the webcam issue, kindly check this link for a resolution: Solving your video and webcam issues for Skype for Windows 10

Let us know of the results.

I just Googled the same issue and noticed this thread. 

As far as I can see, it's not possible to have a list of contacts on the screen in a way that means you can see who is online. I get that I can click on something and see a list of contacts at that time, but only when I click. Is this correct?

If so then this makes Skype worse than it was many years ago. Why would anyone make this change?

Hello Triplesilk99,

Thank you for the feedback.

The Recent contacts tab will show those whom you've recently called or chatted with and their status. This is permanently on the left side of your screen.

However, if you click on Contacts tab, it will pull up your entire contacts list (recently contacted or not) with their corresponding statuses.

Let us know if you need anything else.

Thanks - I realise that, but it's not as good as just having the contact list permanently on the left. To me, this change makes the app worse and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this. 

Why on earth would Skype do this?

Hi Triplesilk99,

We have consolidated the contacts in one icon to have a better interface for Skype users. No worries! we will take this as a feedback and we will forward this to our developers.

Let me know if you still have concerns.

If you want to use the old interface of Skype, you can download the installer through this link:  https://go.skype.com/classic.skype
This re-installs an older version of Skype (7.41.0.101) but at least I can now see the status of my contacts.