Skype 5 is now forced...
There are those that choose to opt out of Skype 5 because it's so buggy and it does not work with programs to patch DV camcorders into Skype...
Now they're communisticaly forcing it upon us to upgrade or else. Proof is in the community.
I'd appreciate it if they fixed the compatibility issues with said software BEFORE they forced this update upon us. This is so underhanded of Skype to force the update without anyone's permission. And Skype 5 REMOVED the option to opt out of updates.
I have Skype 4.2.0.169 backed up on a different system and I'm trying to prevent the update with a permissions fix by denying write access to the "SYSTEM" and "Administrators" accounts on Skype.exe. If this fails, then it is truly RIP to all the innovative DV camera patching programs that now all no longer work...
Edit: Permissions change seems to be working so far. Or maybe the forced upgrade is in waves...
Edit #2: This seems to be the fix. Just set the file permissions for the "SYSTEM" and "Administrators" accounts in Windows on the Skype.exe file to deny writing. I have not gotten the forced update ever since.
Major Update:
The forced updates are in waves. This solution DOES NOT WORK to prevent the installer from popping up. However, if you already applied the permissions fix, it prevents write access for the installer to overwrite the Skype.exe file. Just exit out of the installer when it throws an error at you and your Skype.exe will remain untouched. This ensures you stay on whatever old version of Skype you may have.
The installer may have changed some registry entries on some shortcuts, so delete all your Skype shortcuts and launch directly from new shortcuts that you create yourself that link straight to Skype.exe.
It will be annoying that you have to manually kill the Installer each time, but it works to keep people on bug-free versions of Skype.
An extra step you can take is to look at your C:\ProgramData\Skype (on Win 7) folder and delete any folder with a random string value, as it is sure to have an installer in there. Delete SkypeSetup.exe in your "Temp" folder too. Also, block the IP address 204.9.163.158 with Windows Firewall to be extra extra sure.
Edit (Feb 1): Read this post to ensure you can block updates from happening.
