How to schedule recurring meetings in Skype for business teams

If your team's still using Skype for meetings, you're not alone. Plenty of businesses—especially those with old-school setups or tight IT rules—rely on Skype for everyday comms. One thing that always trips people up: recurring meetings. You want a regular slot, but you don't want to re-invite everyone every week. This guide is for you—whether you're an IT admin, team lead, or just the person who always ends up making the calendar invites.

Let's get your recurring Skype meetings sorted, without the fluff.

Why Schedule Recurring Meetings in Skype for Business?

Before we jump in, a quick reality check: Skype for Business is a bit of a legacy product. Microsoft Teams has replaced it in most companies, but a lot of folks are still on Skype—sometimes by choice, more often because switching is a headache.

Recurring meetings save you time and keep your team on track. No more, “Wait, are we meeting this week?” emails. They’re perfect for:

  • Weekly standups
  • Client check-ins
  • Project status reviews

But be warned: Skype for Business’s recurring meeting features aren’t as slick as newer tools. There are quirks, especially if your team is hybrid or people use different devices. I’ll call out the main headaches as we go.

Step 1: Understand Your Setup

Before you dive in, figure out which version of Skype for Business you’re actually using:

  • Skype for Business Desktop App (Windows/Mac)
  • Skype for Business Online (part of Office 365)
  • Integrated with Outlook? (Most business setups tie Skype into Outlook calendars)

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure, open Skype for Business and check the Help/About menu. Or just ask IT—don’t waste time guessing.

Step 2: Use Outlook to Schedule Recurring Meetings (The Best Way)

Here’s the truth: Scheduling recurring meetings directly in Skype for Business is clunky. The best way is through Outlook, which handles invites, recurrence, and reminders. Skype just provides the meeting link.

Why Outlook? - The calendar is easier to use. - Recurrence settings are more flexible. - Attendees get updates automatically.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Outlook (desktop app is best, but web works too).
  2. Go to your Calendar.
  3. Click New Skype Meeting (in the Home ribbon). If you see “New Teams Meeting” instead, your company may have switched over—check with IT.
  4. Add your meeting title, attendees, and details.
  5. Click Recurrence (usually near the top). Set how often you want the meeting (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.).
  6. Pick the start/end date and time. Don’t overcomplicate—weekly for most teams is plenty.
  7. Hit Send.

Attendees get a calendar invite with a Skype link. Recurring meetings show up on everyone’s calendar. Done.

Step 3: What If You Have to Use Skype for Business Directly?

Sometimes Outlook isn’t available, or your IT setup is weird. If you have to schedule from Skype for Business itself, here’s what you can (and can’t) do.

For Skype for Business Desktop App

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click the Meetings icon or “Meet Now.”
  3. Add participants manually, or copy the meeting link and send it yourself.
  4. Recurring? Here’s the catch: Skype’s native meeting scheduling does not support recurring meetings. You’d have to create each instance manually.
  5. If you’re desperate, you can copy the meeting link and set a recurring calendar reminder (in Outlook, Google Calendar, etc.)—but you’re basically hacking it.

Bottom line: If you want recurring meetings, use Outlook. Skype for Business on its own just isn’t built for this.

Step 4: Managing and Editing Recurring Meetings

Let’s say you’ve scheduled your recurring meetings through Outlook. What if you need to change something?

  • Edit one meeting: Open that instance on your calendar, make changes, and send an update. Only that date changes.
  • Edit the whole series: Open the recurring meeting, click “Edit Series,” make your changes, and send an update. Everyone gets the update.
  • Cancel a single meeting: Open that date, click “Cancel Occurrence.”
  • Cancel the series: Open the recurring meeting, choose “Cancel Series.”

Heads up: When you change the Skype link (rare, but sometimes happens if IT changes domains), you’ll need to update the meeting invites so everyone gets the new link.

Step 5: Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Here’s where things get tricky. Skype for Business isn’t perfect, and recurring meetings can go sideways. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Attendees can’t join: Sometimes Skype links break if you move meetings around. Test the link the first time, especially if guests are outside your company.
  • Conflicting meetings: Recurring meetings can stack up fast. Check for conflicts before you lock in a time.
  • Old links keep popping up: If you duplicate calendar events or copy/paste old invites, people might join the wrong meeting. Always use the official Outlook “New Skype Meeting” button.
  • Timezone headaches: Recurring meetings across time zones? Outlook usually handles it, but double-check the time, especially during daylight savings shifts.

Pro Tip: If someone can’t find the link, tell them to open the meeting invite on their calendar. Skype links live in the invite details.

Step 6: For IT Admins—Lock Down Meeting Settings

If you’re the IT person or meeting organizer, you might want to adjust who can present, join directly, or wait in the lobby. Here’s how to tweak these settings:

  1. In the Outlook invite, click Meeting Options (appears after you add a Skype meeting).
  2. Set who can bypass the lobby, who can present, and other permissions.
  3. Save and send the invite.

Honest take: Most teams don’t need to mess with these settings, but if you’re dealing with external guests or sensitive info, it’s worth a minute.

Step 7: Alternatives—Should You Switch to Teams or Zoom?

Let’s be real: Skype for Business is aging out. Microsoft itself is nudging everyone to Teams. Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet all handle recurring meetings better, especially if you’ve got a hybrid/remote setup.

If you’re stuck on Skype for Business: - Stick with Outlook for scheduling - Keep meeting links up to date - Watch for calendar conflicts

If you can switch: Do it. Teams and Zoom are less buggy, and recurring meetings “just work.”

Real-World Tips and Shortcuts

  • Bookmark your Skype meeting link if you use the same one each time. But don’t circulate old links—security updates can kill them.
  • Automate reminders: Use Outlook or a chat bot to remind people a few minutes before the meeting.
  • Don’t overcomplicate: Weekly is almost always enough. Daily standups? Only if you really need them.
  • Hybrid teams: Test joining from mobile and different networks. Skype can be finicky outside company VPNs.

Wrapping Up

Recurring meetings shouldn’t eat up your time. Use Outlook to schedule them, keep the setup simple, and don’t stress about fancy features you’ll never use. If you run into snags, check the invite link and calendar details first—most problems are just misfired invites or old links.

Keep things straightforward. If your team’s needs change, tweak the setup. Don’t be afraid to switch tools if Skype for Business keeps getting in your way—your time’s too valuable to waste on bad software.