How to disable the skype ads (advertisement)?

Put this in your hosts file:

127.0.0.1     rad.msn.com

Update: nZeus suggests using the following:

127.0.0.1     rad.msn.com
127.0.0.1     g.msn.com
127.0.0.1     live.rads.msn.com
127.0.0.1     ads1.msn.com
127.0.0.1     static.2mdn.net
127.0.0.1     ads2.msads.net
127.0.0.1     a.ads2.msads.net
127.0.0.1     b.ads2.msads.net
127.0.0.1     ad.doubleclick.net
127.0.0.1     ac3.msn.com
127.0.0.1     ec.atdmt.com
127.0.0.1     msntest.serving-sys.com
127.0.0.1     sO.2mdn.net
127.0.0.1     aka-cdn-ns.adtech.de
127.0.0.1     secure.flashtalking.com
127.0.0.1     cdn.atdmt.com
127.0.0.1     apps.skype.com

I haven't tested the latter. The first one worked for me.

I got rid of this like that. Go to Tools > Options and uncheck Promotions and Help and Skype tips.

Additionaly, if you go to Tools > Options > Privacy > Show Advanced Options in the bottom of the window, you will see something about Microsoft targeted ads..., unticked this and restarted Skype altogether and so long I haven't seen any ads anywhere (thanks to juanm55)

None of the above methods work for the newer versions of Skype A new method has emerged that works in Skype 6.13 and Skype 6.14, works on Windows using Internet Explorer settings, from Chris123NT:

Open up Control Panel > Internet Options.

Security > Restricted Sites > Sites

Type in https://apps.skype.com, and click Add.

Again, click Add, then Close, then OK. Now open up Skype, click on the home button, and the ad banner should disappear and not come back!

>>Note that the steps below won't work in Skype 6.9 or later<<

To get rid of advertisements upgrade to Skype Premium (from http://www.skype.com/en/premium/):

To disable promotions (from https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA1111/where-are-alerts-and-messages-displayed):

1. Click Tools > Options > Notifications.
2. Select Alerts & messages.
3. Under Show messages about… tick the boxes for the alerts and messages you wish to receive.
4. Click Save to update your settings.