[quote=Giygas]
Can't you just use the uninstall thing from windows settings instead of deleting every file or using skype's uninstall[Edit] oh you already solved it never mind
[/quote]

Nope, not solved. Exactly the same problem has just arisen. Skype stopped refreshing messages, crashed, and now refuses to let me sign back in. The annoying background process is still there and is as unclosable as ever.
Regardless, although I appreciate the advice, I actually already did what you said - then went even deeper and pulled out everything else an uninstall leaves behind. It's evidently just a Skype error, not something to do with the way it's installed on my comp.

[quote=Jorick]
That's awkward. I've completely removed Skype a few times in the past month, because I fucking hate how the new versions have ads in all conversation windows so I uninstall it and reinstall an older version whenever it automatically updates (despite me having that feature supposedly turned off). Never had a problem getting rid of it.
[/quote]

I might try going back to an older version just 'cause I never used to have issues with it. That or I'll have to try the Windows 8 app rather than the version for desktop...