exporting chat history in the new 8.x version of skype

It is a pain that the local main.db is not used anymore; searching with Skyperious was bliss.

Now you need to visit https://secure.skype.com/en/data-export and request an archive of your stuff...

Jomel_G on 1/16/2018 9:19:14 PM:

In the classic version, we store your chat database to a specialized file in the Skype roaming folder that's why it's possible to recover your conversations if you're able to back that file up. However, it is not possible with the new Skype.

Not all conversations from the classic version will be carried over to the new Skype. But moving forward, your conversations will be saved for 2 years in the cloud.

Regarding the issue when you attempt to install the classic version, you might be clicking the wrong selection from the drop-down of our Downloads page. Below are the steps to download the classic version of Skype:

1. Go to https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/
2. From the drop-down selection, select Get classic Skype.

There is now a way to export the chat for skype 8. You have to follow the instructions here: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA34894/how-do-i-export-my-skype-files-and-chat-history The resulting archive you download contains a folder with all files and shared media and a single json file that contains everything, from your addressbook to the groups and all the messages within.