On Tuesday, your Windows Updates might have notified you of new updates available. One update under the Optional section is “Skype for Windows Desktop 7.0” (KB2876229). It has the description “Stay in touch with friends and family with free Skype-to-Skype calls and messages.”.
Yep, this is the normal, full-blown Skype that you might already have installed through the Windows Store on Windows 8.1. This optional update is also being pushed out to Windows 7 computers. This is similar to the annoying Bing Bar and Bing Desktop Microsoft products that are also pushed out as optional updates.
Update KB 2876229 goes to show the further confusion that will stem from the planned rebranding of Lync to Skype for Business that is to begin rolling out next month.
If you choose to install Skype through the Windows Update, the install will have options that you could easily miss that will change your home page to MSN and search engine to Bing. Not only is this hijacking what you would expect from the Ask toolbar and other less reputable products, it is tarnishing the image of Windows Updates. Individuals might not continue good update practices if they begin to see it as a source of the junkware installed on their computer.