How to Mark Yourself as Offline on Skype for Business

Many users have found themselves needing to appear offline on Skype for Business, especially when they are not actively using the platform but still want to communicate via messages. This article will guide you through how to set this status and when it might be necessary.

Method 1: Using the Status Option

Step 1: Open Skype for Business and navigate to the Status section.

Step 2: Currently, the status options available may say "Available". Click on this to find the "Offline" option.

Step 3: Once you select Offline, you will appear as unavailable to all your colleagues who are actively using Skype for Business.

Note: While you are marked as offline, you will still be able to send and receive messages as usual, ensuring your responsiveness to any urgent communications.

Method 2: Disabling Internet Connection or Sign Out

If you are unable to find the "Offline" status in Skype for Business, there is an alternative method. By either signing out or disconnecting your internet, the end users will also see you as offline.

Step 1: Sign out of Skype for Business. This can be easily done through the settings or by clicking on your profile photo and choosing sign out.

Step 2: Alternatively, you can disconnect your internet. This will automatically show you as offline to all your contacts.

Important Warning: Disconnecting from the internet will prevent you from using other applications that rely on an internet connection. Ensure you have a backup plan if this is a concern for your work.

Comparison Between Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams

It’s worth noting that Microsoft Teams offers more sophisticated status options compared to Skype for Business. While Skype for Business currently lacks a straightforward "Offline" status, Microsoft Teams does provide such functionality.

Skype for Business: The only available status options are "Available" and "Do Not Disturb," which can be accessed through the status section.

Microsoft Teams: Users can choose from multiple status options including "Available," "Away," "Busy," "Do Not Disturb," and "Offline." Additionally, Microsoft Teams allows you to set your status to different groups of people and schedule your availability.

This more granular control makes Microsoft Teams a more flexible tool in terms of managing your online presence and communication preferences.

Conclusion

Marking yourself as offline on Skype for Business is a simple process but requires a bit of knowledge in how the application operates. Whether you use the status option directly in Skype for Business or go through additional steps like signing out or disconnecting your internet, you can effectively manage your visibility to colleagues.

For users seeking more advanced features, Microsoft Teams is the way to go. However, for those who stick with Skype for Business, the methods described here will ensure you can manage your online appearance according to your needs.