Skype is a phone and video chat application on the computer that you can use free of charge to communicate with your friends and family. You need a microphone so that the person on the other end can hear you, so it's important to set up and test your microphone before you call anyone. You first must select your desired microphone from the Windows 7 sound options before you can begin testing your microphone on Skype.

Instructions

1
Open the Windows "Start" menu and click "Control Panel." Click "Hardware and Sound" and select "Sound."

2
Click the "Recording tab." The available microphones will appear. If you have more than one, select the one you wish to use with Skype and click "Set default."

3
Click "Properties." Click the drop-down box next to "Device usage." Select "Use this device (enable)."

4
Select the "Levels" tab. Drag the "Microphone Boost" slider to "0." Boost increases the power of your microphone, but it often causes problems with the other person's audio quality. Drag the "External Mic" slider all the way to the right, so that it is at "100." The "External Mic" slider represents your microphone's output volume. Click "Apply" and "OK." Close the "Sound" window and "Control Panel."

5
Start Skype by selecting it from the "Programs" list on the "Start" menu or by double-clicking the Skype icon. Click "Tools" and select "Options." Ensure that the microphone you selected as your default microphone is chosen in the "Microphone" drop-down menu. If your microphone is not selected, click the drop-down box and select it. Click "Save."

6
Click the "Echo / Sound Test Service" contact under "Contacts." A recorded message will instruct you to begin speaking after you hear a "Beep." Say a sentence or two after the "Beep" and wait about five seconds for Skype to replay your message back to you. You should hear your message if your microphone is working properly.