How to install Skype from ".tar.gz" in Ubuntu 14.04

Question

I need to know how I can install skype-4.3.0.37.tar.bz2 in Ubuntu 14.04.

The filename indicates that you're dealing with an archive. In a terminal type tar xvfj skype-4.3.0.37.tar.bz2 to unpack the archive to find out what it contains. Possibly it contains something you can install. — wie5Ooma, Dec 27 '15 at 02:28
@DavidFoerster - It is absolutely not a duplicate. He doesn't want to install a `*.deb`, it's his choice. — Raphael, Dec 27 '15 at 12:05
@DavidFoerster - Maybe because of unknown errors such as this - http://askubuntu.com/questions/710758/getting-error-while-install-skype-in-ubuntu-14-04 — Raphael, Dec 27 '15 at 12:08
@Raphael did you start reading minds? Perhaps OP doesn't know there are deb files or how they can be used. — muru, Dec 27 '15 at 13:51
@muru - I said maybe. But he clearly stated that he wants to install a .tar.gz. How can we assume that he wants a .deb? Also, a quick google on how to install Skype in Ubuntu points to .deb. How, can he not know? — Raphael, Dec 27 '15 at 13:53
@Raphael you said it's absolutely not a dupe. If he has a tar.gz, of course he'll ask about installing a tar.gz. How do I know what he knows? I didn't claim to know what OP wants, you did. — muru, Dec 27 '15 at 13:55
@muru - I didn't assume that he wants a `.tar.gz`, he asked he wants a `.tar.gz`. And how come installing a .deb and installing a .tar.gz are dupes? — Raphael, Dec 27 '15 at 13:57
@Raphael where does the dupe question say anything about deb files? — muru, Dec 27 '15 at 13:58
@muru - It does : `wget download.skype.com/linux/skype-ubuntu-precise_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb sudo gdebi skype-ubuntu-precise_4.3.0.37-1_i386.deb` — Raphael, Dec 27 '15 at 14:01
@Raphael Here, you seem to be having some cognitive difficulties. Let me quote the entire question: "Skype 4.3 is just released with considerable improvements. As a regular Skype user I want to use the latest Skype on my Ubuntu 14.04, but there is no updates from Update Manager. Even in Skype website only Skype 4.3 is available only for Ubuntu 12.04. Is there anyway to use this latest Skype on Ubuntu 14.04 or how much we have to wait for the update?" Now, where in that is wget or deb files mentioned? — muru, Dec 27 '15 at 14:02
@muru - In the answer it only mentions *.deb! I am getting confused here. — Raphael, Dec 27 '15 at 14:03
@Raphael Generally, *questions* are duplicates. It's rare for answers to be considered. For example, you could post your answer there and then there would be no problem for you if this was closed, wouldn't it? — muru, Dec 27 '15 at 14:05

rsl · Answer 1 · 2015-12-26T23:12:24.570

Open a terminal and navigate the directory where skype-4.3.0.37.tar.bz2 is and run:

tar -xvjf skype-4.3.0.37.tar.bz2

Which will untar it to the current directory.Normally (99% of the time) it will create it's own subdirectory so you don't need to worry about that.
Just so you know:
tar - Tape ARchiver
And the options:
x - extract
v - verbose output (lists all files as they are extracted)
j - deal with bzipped file
f - read from a file, rather than a tape device

tar --help will give you more options and info.
From how to extract a "tar.bz2" file?.

To install run these two commands:

sudo apt-get install dconf-tools
dconf-editor

Expand desktop->unity->panel and add the following to the systray-whitelist item: 'Skype', 'skype'
Finally logout and login again from Unity. Navigate the skype-4.3.0.37 directory (where skype-4.3.0.37.tar.bz2 initially was). Then do:

./skype

If the Skype does not appear in the Tray, a workaround can be:

sudo apt-get install sni-qt:i386

From skype-4.3.0.37 README.

Matteo S. · Answer 2 · 2015-12-27T12:03:18.933

1

The answer from Hossen works, but this procedure is deprecated (as in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Skype ).

The safest way to install skype is to run these commands on a terminal:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner"

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skype

Skype is now installed and ready to use.

edited Dec 27 '15 at 12:03

answered Dec 27 '15 at 01:06

Matteo S.

722
1
5
16

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:24

These are the detailed steps as to how to install Skype from tar.gz in Ubuntu.

Download the .tar.gz from the website.
Now open file-manager and browse to the downloaded file.
Right-click on it and select Extract Here.
Browse to the extracted folder and open the README file:
Next, open a terminal and type (editing the relevant parts):
```
cd DRAG AND DROP THE EXTRACTED skype-4.3.0* FOLDER HERE
```

If you are in a 64-bit machine type the following command:
```
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
```
Type the following command:
```
sudo cp skype /usr/bin
```
Next, type the following command:
```
sudo mkdir /usr/share/skype
```

Next, type the following commands serially:

sudo cp -R avatars/ /usr/share/skype/
sudo cp -R sounds/ /usr/share/skype/
sudo cp -R lang/ /usr/share/skype/

Now, close the terminal.
To launch Skype, type skype in the terminal.
If there are any errors, as shown in the screenshots then type the commands that follow:
```
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install libqtdbus4:i386 libqtwebkit4:i386
```
Now, try to launch Skype again by typing skype in terminal. It should launch by now.

As requested by jeykeu, here are the scripts that automate the above process:

Note: Or you can download the scripts for-installation and for-uninstallation.

If required make it executable

chmod +x /path/to/Skype-installation-ubuntu.sh

chmod +x /path/to/Skype-uninstallation-ubuntu.sh

then, double-click on it and click on Run to run the script.

For installation:

#!/bin/bash

cd ~/Downloads/tmp
sleep 5
wget -c http://download.skype.com/linux/skype-4.3.0.37.tar.bz2
sleep 5
tar -xvzf skype-4.3.0.37.tar.bz2
sleep 5
cd skype*
sleep 5
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sleep 5
sudo cp skype /usr/bin
sleep 5
sudo mkdir /usr/share/skype
sleep 5
sudo cp -R avatars/ /usr/share/skype/
sleep 5
sudo cp -R sounds/ /usr/share/skype/
sleep 5
sudo cp -R lang/ /usr/share/skype/
sleep 5
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y libqtdbus4:i386 libqtwebkit4:i386
sleep 5
rm -rf ~/Downloads/tmp

exit 0

Copy the above and save it as /path/to/anyname.sh also if required make it executable
```
chmod +x /path/to/anyname.sh
```
then, double-click on it and click on Run to run the script.

For uninstallation:

#!/bin/bash

sudo rm -rf /usr/bin
sleep 5
sudo rm -rf /usr/share/skype
sleep 5
sudo apt-get remove --purge -y libqtdbus4:i386 libqtwebkit4:i386

exit 0

Copy the above and save it as /path/to/anyname.sh also if required make it executable
```
chmod +x /path/to/anyname.sh
```
then, double-click on it and click on Run to run the script.

You could have created a shell script – Junaid Qadir Shekhanzai Feb 08 '16 at 16:52 — Junaid Qadir Shekhanzai, Feb 08 '16 at 16:52

How to install Skype from ".tar.gz" in Ubuntu 14.04

3 Answers3

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