Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
Camo
Websites & Apps Say goodbye to fuzzy, hazy, and low resolution webcam video with this free app
A man video conferencing using an iMac computer.
Software & Services Best alternative to Skype of 2025
Biamp Parlé VBC 2500 main image
Pro Biamp Parlé VBC 2500 review
Spyrix Free Keylogger parental control app review
Software & Services Spyrix Free Keylogger review
webcams
Software & Services Best free video conferencing service of 2025
OBS logo on a purple TechRadar background
Software Best free streaming software of 2025
KidLogger
Software & Services KidLogger review
  1. Computing
  2. Internet
  3. Websites & Apps

How to record Skype calls and video on your PC

How-to
By Cat Ellis published 10 May 2016

Keep a log

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Recording Skype calls

Recording Skype calls

Skype is an amazing tool, but it's missing a few features – most significantly the ability to record your conversations and video chats. Call recording can be enormously useful for video conferencing, seminars and interviews – any situation where you need to keep a note of what's being said, but want to listen and participate rather than keep your head down and scribble in a notepad.

In the UK, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) permits you to record your own communications provided that the recording is for your own use. You can't make a recording and share it with someone who wasn't part of the original call.

For more information, visit the Ofcom website. Here we use a free tool called Pamela to record our calls. Let's get started!

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
1. Get the right Skype

1. Get the right Skype

Make sure you have Skype for Windows Desktop installed (Pamela won't work with the Windows 8 modern app). You can get the right version by visiting the Skype website and clicking the green button in the centre of the page, then selecting 'Get Skype for Windows Desktop'.

Follow the instructions to download and install. Log in using your Skype or Microsoft account.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
2. Meet Pamela

2. Meet Pamela

Now visit the Pamela for Skype website. The page lists various versions of the software, but the free Pamela Basic edition (listed under the demo version) gives you 15 minutes recording time, so click on this.

You can always upgrade later if you decide you want more features, or want to record longer conversations. We had to make our browser window full screen to see the download link.

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
3. Install the app

3. Install the app

Click 'Save file', then click your web browser's 'Download' button and select it. Select a language, then follow the on-screen instructions to install Pamela. At the end of the installation, you'll be asked if you want to see some special promotions – click 'No'.

You can now use the new icon on your desktop to open the program, ready to record.

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
4. Skype, meet Pam

4. Skype, meet Pam

Once you've opened Pamela, fire up Skype for Desktop. Skype will detect Pamela and display a message at the top of the window offering to show you how third-party applications work with Skype.

The next time you make or receive a Skype call, Pamela will ask if you want to record (video or just audio). Use the buttons in the menu bar to start, pause or end recording.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
5. Take a note

5. Take a note

Pamela includes lots of functions to help you make the most of your recordings. For example, if you click the notepad icon at the bottom of the window, you can add notes to help you refer back to them in future – ideal if you're recording meetings or seminars.

You can use the buttons at the bottom to initiate a Skype chat with the person you recorded, or start a new call.

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
6. Make some noise

6. Make some noise

It's not all work though – Pamela has some fun functions built in too, including an audio equivalent of the emoticons used to express feelings in text messages. Click the speech bubble containing a musical note in the top menu bar and you'll see a list of sound effects that you can play during a call.

Be careful though – many of them could be interpreted as sarcastic!

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
7. Talk to yourself

7. Talk to yourself

If you just want to record your own voice (to dictate notes while you work, for example), click the microphone icon in Pamela's top menu bar to activate 'Custom Recording'.

This will record audio from your PC's microphone, but with the advantage of being able to add notes and file it away. You can also record video from your own webcam by clicking the camera icon.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
8. Go deeper

8. Go deeper

Congratulations! You've now added an extra useful function to Skype's already impressive feature set, making it even better for video conferences, meetings and just chatting with friends and family.

Pamela also includes 'enhanced mood' functions to let people know how you're feeling, plus a few other surprises, so check out the help files to see how much more it can do.

  • Enjoyed this article? Discover how to get the most from your PC and new things to do in Windows Help & Advice. Take advantage of an exclusive offer in our sampler today.
Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
Cat Ellis
Cat Ellis
Social Links Navigation
Homes Editor

Cat is TechRadar's Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She's been a tech journalist for 15 years, having worked on print magazines including PC Plus and PC Format, and is a Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) certified barista. Whether you want to invest in some smart lights or pick up a new espresso machine, she's the right person to help.

See more Computing How Tos
Read more
Camo
Say goodbye to fuzzy, hazy, and low resolution webcam video with this free app
A man video conferencing using an iMac computer.
Best alternative to Skype of 2025
Biamp Parlé VBC 2500 main image
Biamp Parlé VBC 2500 review
Spyrix Free Keylogger parental control app review
Spyrix Free Keylogger review
webcams
Best free video conferencing service of 2025
OBS logo on a purple TechRadar background
Best free streaming software of 2025
Latest in Websites & Apps
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, July 4 (game #488)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Friday, July 4 (game #1257)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, July 3 (game #1256)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, July 3 (game #487)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, July 2 (game #486)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, July 2 (game #1255)
Latest in How Tos
Henry Lloyd-Hughes as DS Nathan Rose in Ragdoll
How to watch Ragdoll on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand at Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Evans vs Djokovic online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
The ball for Women's Euro 2025
How to watch Women's Euro 2025: live stream soccer options, TV channels, watch for FREE, Day 2 fixtures
Coco Gauff practicing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Yastremska vs Gauff at Wimbledon 2025 on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Jamie Smith and Joe Root celebrate after walking off unbeaten in their test victory against India at Headingley, Leeds.
How to watch England vs India 2nd Test: Live stream cricket online – India 587, England 77-3 after record-breaking Gill double hundred on Day 2
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    Losing my keys cost me $600; this Best Buy AirTag sale for July 4 drops the price to under $20 each
  2. 2
    British startup claims to have developed tech that can deliver 65% lossless file compression - but you'll have to pay big for it
  3. 3
    I asked AI to plan the perfect day in London – here’s what it got right and hilariously wrong
  4. 4
    You don't have to be real to score brand deals as an influencer
  5. 5
    I tested the Nebula X1, and it's one of the brightest and best portable projectors available

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...