We receive a few number of questions related to the different versions of Skype for Business clients that are available.
If you already use Office 365 then probably you have the Skype for Business 2016 C2R (Click-to-Run).
Skype for Business 2016 C2R (Click-to-Run)
This is the version that is available in Office 365 and it contains the latest features, moving forward this version is also recommended for OnPrem (Lync Server 2013 and Skype for Business Server 2015).
How to check version:
Options > Help > About Skype for Business:
To check the Channel we need to go to another Office application, then File > Office Account:
Update List
Version and build numbers of update channel releases for Office 365 clients
Basic Version
How to install the Skype for Business Basic stand-alone client
Skype for Business 2016 MSI
This version is the Volume License version and doesn’t include all the features available in SfB 2016 C2R.
Both versions are supported but it’s recommended to use the SfB 2016 C2R version instead.
How to check the version
Please note that the version displayed in the Help > About is the MSO version and not the SfB Version.
To check the installed update we can use the following PowerShell cmdlet:
Get-ItemProperty “HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Lync.exe” | ForEach-Object {Get-ChildItem -Path $_.Path -Recurse lync.exe | Select-Object -ExpandProperty VersionInfo | Select FileDescription,ProductVersion}
Alternatively, go to the Tracing Folder and check the ETL filename:
%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Lync\Tracing
Update List
Skype for Business 2016 Client Update List
Basic Version
Microsoft Skype for Business Basic (32/64 Bit)
Please note that SfB Basic version doesn’t include the same features as the SfB2016 MSI client, however, we can use the same updates.
Lync 2013/Skype for Business 2015 C2R (Click-to-Run)
This version was available for Office 365 and it contains the same features as the Lync 2013/Skype for Business 2015 MSI
How to check the version
Options > Help > About Skype for Business
We can also check on another Office application, then File > Office Account:
Update List
Update history for Office 2013
Lync 2013/Skype for Business 2015 MSI
This version started as Lync 2013 and it was renamed to Skype for Business 2015 on April 14, 2015. This version has the same features as Lync2013/SfB2015 Click-to-Run.
How to check the version
Options > Help > About Skype for Business
Update List
Lync 2013/Skype for Business 2015 Client Update List
Basic Version
Microsoft Lync Basic 2013 (32 Bit)
Microsoft Lync Basic 2013 (64 Bit)
Please note that these versions doesn’t include the same features as the Lync2013/SfB2015 MSI client, however, we can use the same updates.
Desktop client feature comparison for Skype for Business Server 2015
