Where are my Skype images saved ?
I've recently ran into this issue when trying to finally set up an avatar for all of my social networks/userid's. I knew that Skype would let you take screenshots of yourself if you have a camera: Tools > Options > General > video settings > Take a video snapshot however I couldn't really use the image on anything else but Skype since I didn't know where skype saved pics. I'd rather have the same avatar across the board so I did a little research.
Here is how to find your Skype images on your computer. First Make sure you can see hidden files and folders. To check this you will have to go to Control Panel > Folder Options > Click on the View Tab > Under the Hidden files and folders section make sure that > Show hidden files, folders, and drives is selected.
Now the very intuitive 
location of your images is in this previously hidden folder:
C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Skype\Pictures
Of coures replace YOURUSERNAME with your user name 
Pretty easy if you know the right steps to take. Now I'm sure you don't want to have to remeber that ridiculous location every time you want to look though those pictures. My suggestion would be to create a shortcut to it. You can easily do this by first browsing to the desired location IE: Pictures folder or wherever you'd like and then right-click on empty space > New > Shortcut For location use: C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Skype\Pictures > Next > Name it > Finish Having this setup seems a lot more logical for me and you apparently not yet for Skype.
Enjoy this article?
Cloud
July 14th, 2009 - 16:10
Thanks for the info. But it was actually easier to go to search> advance> show hidden folders. Thanks again!
July 14th, 2009 - 17:20
Cat is right. I was trying to write the tutorial generic enough for most Windows operating systems to follow. However if you are on anything like Windows Vista or Windows 7 you can simply click on Start and type: show hidden folders in the little search field that reads: Search programs and files. First option in the list should be the Folder Options
July 27th, 2009 - 14:21
Hey, i tried that…but i don’t have any appfolder or application folder etc….any thoughts?
July 27th, 2009 - 14:34
nevermind….finally found it…had to go to C:\documents and settings\username\etc… my mistake was going to “my documents” instead of going through C:\…
September 4th, 2009 - 21:45
I followed directions above and found the folder “Skype/Pictures” but only Skype images were in there, not Image Gallery with the pictures I snapped. Where are they? Still a mystery to me.
i’m using windows XP
September 5th, 2009 - 14:35
What did you “snap” the images with. If you did not take the images from inside of Skype they will not be in that folder. In order for your images to be in there you have to make sure to take them with Skype. I’m on a Linux system right now and don’t have Skype set up here. I’ll post later on how to navigate to the: “video snapshot” option in Skype just in case you are having problems finding it.
November 13th, 2009 - 23:56
Thanks a BUNCH! I did everything you said to, step by step. Found the pictures I snapped with NO problem
Thank you!!
November 14th, 2009 - 11:22
Excellent! thanks dude
November 16th, 2009 - 15:34
Kenny and Bailey you are both very welcome. I’m happy I was able to help you out with this tutorial.
December 3rd, 2009 - 20:25
thank you very much , luckily found your site !
December 3rd, 2009 - 20:31
Shakil, You are very welcome. I like to post information on things that are a little hard to figure out.
December 31st, 2009 - 23:54
It didn’t work. At all. I couldn’t even find the folder.
January 4th, 2010 - 18:05
where do you type the file name?
January 5th, 2010 - 11:47
I took snapshots of my friends while they were using video call but I can’t find the pictures. got any idea?
I’m using Windows XP
January 6th, 2010 - 03:21
Tru did you go through all of the steps ?
Since it is a hidden folder you will not be able to see it unless you select that option to view hidden files or folders. Also make sure you are replacing “YOURUSERNAME” in that path with your actual user name.
January 6th, 2010 - 03:35
Tyler are you asking where do you type the file name of the picture ? If that is what you are asking. Nowhere because you don’t really know that until you browse to the picture in: C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Skype\Pictures and see the picture name there.
January 6th, 2010 - 03:38
Viz, those pictures will be stored into whatever folder you have last saved data into. If you can’t find them on your desktop my suggestion would be to take another snapshot and pay attention to the directory that it is saving the image inside of. If for some reason you are having a hard time finding the directory location when you save the file at least pay attention to the name it gives the file before it saves it so that you can later search for that file name. Hope that helped.
January 18th, 2010 - 00:46
Hey Mike, do you by any chance know where the pictures are stored on a mac? Thanks!
January 18th, 2010 - 16:25
Natalie, I’m not sure about that. I will look into it and get back to you. Check here soon. UPDATE: Natalie sorry to take so long to get back to you. I’ve been extremely busy. Unfortunately there is no option to take a snapshot from Skype on a Mac. The work-around is to capture a snapshot of the screen during a video recording. You can do this by pressing: Command+Shift+4 (It will give you a target point from which you can drag a selection area around your image.) After you capture your image it will be saved to your desktop.
January 18th, 2010 - 22:27
I get to roaming and there’s no skype folder whatsoever… even with hidden files and folders switched to view. I’m on windows 7 btw
January 18th, 2010 - 23:35
I’m on XP right now. Will get back to you soon. UPDATE Here is the location to your Skype Pictures directory as outlined in official Skype documentation:
Windows XP:\Application Data\Skype\Pictures \My Documents\My Skype Pictures
C:\Documents and Settings\
or
C:\Documents and Settings\
For Vista & 7\AppData\Roaming\Skype\Pictures
C: \Users\
January 23rd, 2010 - 16:36
Very helpful – thanks so much!
January 25th, 2010 - 01:52
I have read all the questions and answeres and tried everything you have said to find th pictures that I took while skyping with family. I am on Windows Vista. I cannot find folder options in my control panel. I cannot find hidden files when I search my computer. Nothing I have done brings those pictures back. I see them when I take another picture and it says that they are saved to my picture folder but I can’t find them. uggggg!
January 25th, 2010 - 23:00
I’m on Windows 7 and it was exactly where you described it to be:
C:\Users\Thomas\AppData\Roaming\Skype\Pictures
(my username is Thomas)
Thank you very much for your tutorial!
The snapped photos should be there, I had to scroll all the way to the bottom, past all the generic skype images.
January 26th, 2010 - 02:59
i have a windows vista and even after reading everything I can’t find the pictures i snapped on skype. Can someone please thoroughly respond to this with step by step directions. thanks
January 27th, 2010 - 03:36
Gergely,
Hey please read my reply to Natalie. Another tip is to use PhotoBooth if you have it as it might be a friendlier option.
January 27th, 2010 - 03:37
Raj it’s my pleasure to help out whenever I can.
January 27th, 2010 - 03:41
Hey Robin sorry to hear you are having problems. From what you say here: “I cannot find folder options in my control panel. I cannot find hidden files when I search my computer” It sounds like you swapped two steps. After you open your control panel I want you to go to the search bar in the top right corner and search for Folder Options. It should show you that set of options now. Next click on it and then go back to my tutorial and pick up from: “You will have to go to Control Panel > Folder Options “
January 27th, 2010 - 03:43
Thomas, Nice job on finding it in your first shot.
January 27th, 2010 - 03:45
Hello there Anna. I though I did a pretty good job with the tutorial. I’ll try to help you out though where are you getting stuck ?
January 30th, 2010 - 22:39
NATALIE *** !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRETTY MUCH THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION SHOULD BE THIS LOCATION:
FINDER> PICTURES> PHOTO BOOTH
But try the below steps to ensure or test to see if it works.
First make sure that you have the latest version of Skype. WHILE SKYPE IS THE ACTIVE PROGRAM SELECTED FROM THE DOCK – You need to go to the MENU BAR and SELECT: SKYPE > CHECK FOR UPDATE, as a first thing. If you do have the latest version: (as long as you have a more recent Mac with the Factory Settings pretty standard, here is what hopefully may help and what i suggest or advise you to try doing) oh yeah also make sure that your Apple Software Update is updated from: SYSTEM PREFERENCES > SOFTWARE UPDATE > CHECK NOW !!*
1. Hit the EDIT PROFILE BUTTON from the main Skype Messenger Window.
2. Than on the bottom left of that POP UP WINDOW hit the CHANGE button.
3. NOW at the bottom of that window there will be an ICON BUTTON that looks like a CAMERA – CAPTURE A PICTURE FROM A VIDEO CAMERA (text that appears when you hover over it)
4. NEXT, take a Picture.
5. FINALLY, I BELIEVE SKYPE AUTOMATICALLY USES THE ISIGHT (incorporated/integrated Mac/Apple camera in your screen) IF PRESENT IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY USE PHOTOBOOTH; meaning that the picture should be SAVED under: FINDER> PICTURES> PHOTO BOOTH. The FINDER is located as an icon on the left most of the dock (looks like two faces) sorry I am assuming as far as how much you know, just so that we wont play blog tag.
Let me know if it does or doesn’t work.
Bobo, Mike Web Guy’s brother.
February 1st, 2010 - 02:22
The quickest and easiest way to locate files on your system is to use the Windows Search tool. Click START, then SEARCH and a search options window will open.
Since the Skype picture’s filenames all contain the word “snapshot”, just use the
Windows search tool and search for filenames containing the word “snapshot”. In Windows XP you have to use 3 advanced search options to look in system files and folders, hidden files, and subfolders. It will find your Skype pics, and tell you where they are stored.
Hope this method of finding things on your computer works for some of you.
February 2nd, 2010 - 15:13
Bobo, That is very well written and accurate !!!
February 2nd, 2010 - 15:14
Mike, Nice workaround.
February 4th, 2010 - 17:18
When you take a picture on skype a window pops up showing you the picture. On that window you have an option to view the picture in its folder. You should be able to track down where that picture is on your computer then if it isn’t showing in the folder explained.
February 5th, 2010 - 06:00
THANK YOU!!!!!!!
February 6th, 2010 - 15:34
Thanks it was a great help.
But for many who are still having problems finding the pictures…..
Click START> than click your Name and there you have it…………..
February 6th, 2010 - 23:24
@smiley,
Not really… Maybe you haven’t read the post. This is for people looking for their Skype images.
February 6th, 2010 - 23:25
@jessi,
You are WELCOME!!!
February 6th, 2010 - 23:26
@Fintan
Seriously really good input.
February 6th, 2010 - 23:28
Guys you rock. There have been some amazing replies on here that explain how to do in ways that are easier then what I have originally outlines. Everybody that has posted has done a really good job on keeping on subject and providing useful information. I guess I have really smart readers…
February 8th, 2010 - 02:15
these instructions “right-click on empty space > New > Shortcut For location use: C:\Users\Valued User\AppData\Roaming\Skype\Pictures > Next > Name it > Finish ” is totally confusing.. those “>” are confusing, would have been easier in a simple step 1 to 3.
what is a “Valued User”? (oh after browsing back & forth the Skype Pictures folder, i finally got it, its the Windows “USER”)
the easier way:
1. go to C:\Users\**USER**\AppData\Roaming\Skype
2. right click on “Pictures” then choose “Create Shortcut”
3. then cut & paste the created shortcut in your My Pictures folder (or wherever.)
February 8th, 2010 - 03:26
This has all been incredibly helpful! but my technological awareness (or lack there of) still made it difficult to find the pictures. But once i came upon the skype folder and and opened the “Pictures” folder, none of my screenshots showed up. it only gave me the default icons as images. Did i do something wrong?
February 8th, 2010 - 22:30
@Skrill
You are correct. I will update the post. Valued User happens to be my username.
February 8th, 2010 - 22:55
thanx soo much.. i really needed this very easy step by step help and it worked with my vista!!! wooap at last xx
February 8th, 2010 - 23:37
@fee
You are most welcome.
February 9th, 2010 - 03:52
i looked at quite a few ppls ideas on how to find them… yours was the first i seen that was ideal and not complicated.. and ima dummy when it comes to computers.. thank you for your help…
February 10th, 2010 - 01:13
@lisa,
Your not a dummy. Some people just don’t know how to explain things.
February 10th, 2010 - 01:14
@Thomas,
Sorry but I’m loosing you. Are you following my original tut or some alternate way of doing things that was posted in a reply ?
February 15th, 2010 - 23:15
Hi Mike and Bobo,
Thank you for the “Command+Shift+4″ shortcut. I did not know about it. There is also a way around to capture the picture from where it is saved now:
Edit Profile
Change… {picture}
Recent Pictures
{There will be all the pictures taken by the webcam through Skype, the only access to the undisclosed location of the pictures}
command+c
then paste to word or somewhere else…
But, I didn’t find the actual location of the pictures
.
Bobo,
I checked the Finder > Photo Booth >
no skype pictures there…
Natalie