Editing Openai/694562f4-9158-8001-8764-12c0f1ed968a (section)

==== Option 1 (Recommended): Prevent Skype for Business from ever starting ====

===== Step 1: Disable via registry (effective even if Task Manager does not show it) =====
# Press Win + R
# Type regedit and press Enter
# Navigate to:

<syntaxhighlight>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Lync

</syntaxhighlight>

(If <code>Lync</code> does not exist, create it)
# Create or modify the following DWORD (32-bit) value:

<syntaxhighlight>Name: DisableAutoRun
Value: 1

</syntaxhighlight>
# Close Registry Editor and reboot

This stops Skype for Business from starting for good.

===== Step 2: Ensure Outlook is not launching it (if Outlook exists) =====

Even if you never open Outlook, Office can still wire them together.

Open Outlook → File → Options → Advanced
* Uncheck: - Register Skype for Business as the IM app

Restart.