In China but want to install Skype version other than TOM Skype? How do I do that?

[ExecConf_AMCC]

In China but want to install Skype version other than TOM Skype which is Skypes China partner?  When I attempt installatiion is always redirects me to TOM Skype.

Thanks

[Claudius Community Manager]

Due to internet regulations you can't download the non TOM Skype version from within China. Sorry to tell you now, but you would have needed to download it beforehand.

[Erik749]

Claudius is wrong. Yes, you can install skype; you can download a full installer version of the software from somewhere. If you use a VPN/Proxy and can access skype.com you can download this  software from http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-full , or just google to find a full download for the current or old version of skype, instead of the malware and spyware ridden Chinese version.

[qdthom]

We too used our VPN to download and now to regularly update our Skype.  For the last year and a half this has worked.  We can then use our 'real' Skype even when we are not logged into our VPN

[Eezageeza]

You could do what I have just done if your VPN fails or something...

I'm in the middle of the classic Hong Kong Chinese Visa Run. Once you're in Hong Kong and near some Wi-Fi point, you simply remove that filthy, dirty, rotten, Tom-Skype nonsense and just download Skype.  Unfortunately all that spyware and stuff will probably be lodged in your operating system somewhere and perhaps may not be removed by uninstalling Tom-Skype, alone.

But, at least you will have normal Skype.

However, be aware that the PRC (People's Republic of China) Government has the ability and DOES monitor VPNs and normal Skype connections. Some antiGovernment protestors were USING VPNs to add comments on sites and they were STILL arrested - though they were aggressively trying to stir trouble. 

VPN's just allow you to access sites blocked by the standard "Great FireWall of China". 

Amusingly, many idiots imagine that the PRC Government/PRC Police (with their hundreds of thousands of China Intranet ISP administrators and monitors) can't monitor or at least TRACK VPN activity and normal Skype communications. 

The PRC Gov simply doesn't care about Westerners (or even a minority of Chinese people) using VPN's to use Facebook, Youtube or to look at porn - You can even buy VPN's in China!!  

Regarding Skype, it's just simply cheaper for the Masters of the PRC to monitor 200,000,000+ people using Tom Skype than it is hacking, tracking and RECORDING Skype itself - but they can and actually do DO this when they want or deem it necessary to do so...