I needed to record a short Skype conversation on a Windows XP computer the other day so I looked around at a couple options. There are a bunch of different applications but I wasn’t interested in paying for an application until I could at least try it. I settled on downloading and trying PrettyMay to record Skype calls and it appears to have been a good choice. Below I will describe some of the functions I like about PrettyMay and also explain how to configure various options.
Download & Install PrettyMay Skype Recorder:
First click here to download PrettyMay Skype Call Recorder. There are three options you can select from however I would suggest trying the product for free before you purchase it. The free version will allow up to 15 minutes of a conversation to record which should allow you to review the product to make sure you like the functionality. Once downloaded click on PrettyMay-bas-setup.exe to begin the installation process which is really easy. When you first launch PrettyMay it will request to restart Skype so agree to that and then when Skype verifies that PrettyMay should have access agree there as well.
PrettyMay Skype Call Recorder:
Basic Configurations:
To begin initial configuration of PrettyMay open the Options window by clicking on the icon located in the top right hand part of the PrettyMay application window as shown below. Select Tools from the drop down and then select Options from the fly out menu.
This will open the PrettyMay Options window displaying the General Options as shown below.
The first thing I would suggest is to check every box on the General Options window except for automatically starting Skype when PrettyMay starts since you probably already auto launch Skype when Windows starts. If you decide later that you want PrettyMay to start Skype then you can easily come back and modify this settings.
Disable PrettyMay Voicemail:
Next if you are like me and already have voicemail setup for Skype you should disable the PrettyMay voicemail by clicking on Voice Messages tab on the left navigation. Once on the Voice Messages screen simply uncheck the top configuration item titled “Enable Voice Messages”. Make sure after configuring any new PrettyMay option that you click the Apply button located at the bottom right of each configuration screen.
PrettyMay Skype Call Recording Options:
Now click on Call Record in the left navigation to display the Skype Call Recording Options as displayed in the below image. I wanted to test having PrettyMay automatically record incoming and outgoing calls so I checked each of those radio buttons. Make sure “Enable Call Record” is checked or no Skype calls will be recorded. You may also want to change the default location that the recordings are stored and again if you are using the free version of PrettyMay keep in mind that your recordings are limited to 15 minutes.
Disable Other PrettyMay Functions:
PrettyMay does a couple other pretty cool things such as replying to chat messages when you are idle, email you when voicemail is received, and SMS notify you when voicemail is received. I really just wanted to record Skype calls so I clicked on Chat Reply, Mail Forwarding, and SMS notify and made sure the Enable configuration was unchecked. Later I may come back to these when I decide to purchase the application but for now I just want to record Skype calls.
Test PrettMay Skype Call Recording:
Now that everything is configured test PrettyMay by calling your cell phone from Skype or calling one of your Skype contacts. You will notice that the call automatically begins to record and will continue recording until you hit the 15 minute mark. Once you have completed the call open the PrettyMay window and click the Call Record tab where your recorded Skype calls will be listed. Double click on a call to begin the playback which can be paused at any time by clicking the Pause button located in the lower left hand side of the PrettyMay application window.
