Skype 5.10.0.114 volume window won't go away and messes with system volume control

[CGBehemoth]

This upgrade must have come in the last week or so. It includes a horizontal window labeled Volume that sits on top in the lower right corner of my display regardless of which app I am using. Right now I type this in Google Chrome but Skype's new floating Volume window sits in front of it. There is no way to control it or remove it.

Additionally, when I attempt to listen to Media Player with my Logitech USB headset or simply make a call without a headset using my Skype premium account, the software that appears to control that pointless and useless window automatically lowers the volume to zero so that I cannot hear anything at all. If I manually raise the volume with my mouse, it simply drops it back to zero like air leaking out of a tire.

I can listen to Media Player on my Toshiba Satellite's tinny speakers. But that's it. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium--Service Pack 1; all the software and drivers are up to date and up until about a week ago I had been a happy Skype Premium user for over 3 years. Now it's worthless and a waste of money.

When I first encountered this issue early last week, I was able to resolve it for an evening by unclicking the automatic recording and volume settings in Skype-Tools-Options. That no longer works.

Earlier tonight in a laborious 70-80 minute chat session with Support, I removed all permissions for apps to take exclusive control of all my audio devices. That was supposed to resolve the issue: it did not. Yes, the laptop's built-in speakers now function, but the headset does not, nor does Skype with either headset or speakers.

So what now???? Support was clearly not full of ideas [I am girding my loins before attempting another marathon with them]. Does anyone have any suggestions???

Why have a floating Volume window anyway? It makes no sense what so ever.

[Neil · Accepted solution]

I am virtually positive that this volume control widget did not come with Skype

maybe a screenshot would help identify what it is

what else did you install about a week ago?

[CGBehemoth]

Thanks for replying!

I installed nothing else. It appeared after the latest automatic update from Skype. 

I'm booting Skype now and will check the Task Manager to see if I find the widget there.

Cheers--

[Neil]

please post a screenshot

[CGBehemoth]

Apologies for the delay in replying---illness and family surprises intervened. And apologies for wasting yours and anyone else's time.

I've since spent a lot of time with Toshiba's support after getting some suggestions from Logitech. Toshiba eliminated Skype's or any other software as the root cause. It appears to be the failure of a component in the headset's volume control. The initial constellation made it look like a Skype issue and Skype's own support person I first dealt with was none the wiser.

Cheers---