windows - How to disable the skype ads (advertisement)?

The Skype client shows a disturbing colored ad at the bottom of the client. The ad is unnecessary and only takes away important space for the contact list.

How can I remove that permanentely?

Even after clicking the close sign on the ad, the ad appears again each time I open/click Skype again...

I got rid of this like that. Go to Tools > Options

Skype ver.5.1.32.104

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

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

>>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.