How to Run Multiple Instances of Same Program

Even though running multiple instances of the same program is an easy task, but still, many Windows user doesn’t know how to. Some of them also install it twice to run copies of it.

Well, this method won’t work. If you are looking for a solution, then you have come to the right place, my friend.

You’d be amazed to see how easy it is to run multiple instances of the same program. You’ll be able to open various File Explorer windows to copy data between two folders or compare two-word documents or even maintain separate browser windows with different login profile!

Things would be much more comfortable, and it would give your productivity a boost up.

So, let’s not waste time chit-chatting more and cut to the chase.

Can you Open Multiple Instances of Windows Store Apps?

Let’s start with the Windows store apps. After the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft brought us the latest version of store apps. We all use them on a daily basis. So, there could be a need to open them up in multiple copies.

But there is some limitation. While most of the apps open without a problem but some of them causes a huge fuss. Now, why is that?

Why can’t I Open Second Instance of Some Apps?

According to The Windows Club, sometimes it’s just a coding defect. The developer of those apps haven’t implemented the code or just didn’t think it as a big deal.

Some apps such as Photoshop or 3D Builder don’t have this facility as it might mess up what you have been creating.

But for some apps such as Mail, you may want to open up multiple instances, but the developers didn’t think it as a necessary means. They haven’t provided the facility to do so. When you try to open a new instance, it would just load the entire app.

Maybe it’s just programmed that way. Anyhow, if you are using Microsoft Outlook, you can quickly open up a new program in another window. Then you can work on differently with those two.

To summarize it, it actually would depend on the developers to provide this option. There is a rumour that they are developing their apps so that you can open up multiple instances, though.

But that would take some time. In the meanwhile, let’s look at the primary way to run the instances.

Method 1 – The Basic Solution

This trick works best with traditional desktop apps such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, etc.

For opening a new window just run them and press Ctrl + N.

Or you can press Alt or F10 to bring up the menu bar and select New from the menu.

This method will open up a new window with a fresh instance. This same process goes for MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. After creating a new file, it would show as a new window.

This method sometimes might not work for Modern apps or the Universal ones. As an example, opening an instance in Calculator doesn’t work with this technique. If you press Ctrl +N after opening it, nothing happens.

Method 2 – Using Taskbar Icons to Open New Instances

It is an excellent method to open up Modern apps such as the Calculator and even traditional apps. You can just open them up using their icons in Taskbar.

There are two ways to do it.

First one: Using Shift + Click

You need to place the cursor on the icon of the app and then press Shift while clicking on the icon. Just open up the app you wish to run multiple instances and follow this method.

You will have another instance of that app. Not all modern apps open like this, though. There are a few selected ones that work like this. One of them is Calculator.

Just click on the icon in the taskbar and hold shift and you would get multiple instances of this app.

Second One: Using Right Click

It is another method to run multiple instances of the same app using Taskbar.

You can right click on the desired app and then click on the name of the app from the list.

For example, if you want to open new instances of calculator then just Right click on it from the taskbar and then select calculator from the list.

It’s easy as that. This same way you can open multiple File Explorer windows.

These methods will open up multiple instances of apps in Windows 10. Though you should know many modern apps don’t support various instances for some significant reason:

• Developers are ignorant of Windows 10 API
• They don’t want users to open multiple instances
• Or they forgot to add the API feature

Many apps do have this feature. But if this happens to spoil the outcome then the app might not support it.

However, the primary solution won’t work with all apps, including Skype. If you want to run individual processes of these apps, then you need to work a bit more.

Method 3 – Run as a Different User

Right after you open an app in Windows, the operating system will create a new instance of that app under your user account. But what if you have multiple accounts? If you want to run them as a different user, what then?

Well, if you have more than one account then you can quickly switch between them. You need to use the Start menu and create new instances under different user id.

Task Manager would show you the username column running for a different program. Just open it up and view the details tab. You would find the username column that would state the username who started the process.

Although, switching between the user accounts would be a bit of problematic. There is a better solution for this. You can always run a program as a different user than your usual account.

Well, if you don’t have a second user then you can just create a new one for this. It’s super easy. Just follow the steps below and your set!

Step-1: Firstly, go to the Start menu and then Settings. After that, head straight to Accounts.

Step-2: Next, Look for Family and Other people option in the left panel of Accounts and then click it.

Step-3: Below Other People, you’ll see Add someone else to this PC. By clicking that option, you’ll get a new pop up. When you’re prompted to enter their email address, just click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.

Step-4: As you don’t need a Microsoft account for this just click Add a user without a Microsoft account. Then give it a name and a password.

Setting the password is necessary as the next step won’t work if you don’t.

Method 4 – Run Programs under Another Account

Now that, you have two accounts you can run the app using any one of the accounts. If you open the app from the Start menu, it will open up under your account by Default. So, if you want to launch it using the second user, just follow the steps below:

Step-1: First find the app you want to open from the Start menu. And then Right click on it. After that, choose More and then Open File Location.

Step-2: Now, hold Shift while you are right-clicking on the icon from the File Explorer window. And then click Run as a different user.

Step-3: After this, you would see a login box asking you to sign in. So, just type in the info’s of the second user, and it would launch it in that instead.

Note: If you have the app opened in your primary account first then this method won’t work. It would just open it on that account. But if you run in as a different user first and then your account it would work splendidly.

Method 5 – Built-in Options in Some Programs

There are some integrated tools found in some apps to help you with the process. As for browsers, you can run multiple instances of the program just with Incognito or Private window.

This option will let you open a clean browser that won’t have any sign of information by default. So, you can just use it to open multiple social media accounts or web version apps without a fuss. You don’t need to sign out of the primary account for that.

Chrome, on the other hand, has a profile switcher that will allow you to open Chrome under a different Google account. But there is also an option of Guest account that is kind of similar to a Private window, too.

For Outlook, you can just add up multiple email addresses and see them all in one window!

Multiple Sign-ins are No Problem

Although it might seem as problematic, you can run multiple instances as a different user without any hassle. Though some programs might trouble you, the methods described here would definably run multiple instances of most of the apps.

So, go ahead and try out these methods. I’m sure all your problems are gone now.

Hasib Bin Anowar

Hasib is a born geek and loves tweaking his computer and gadgets for effectiveness and productivity. At WindowsChimp, he specializes in writing Tutorial guides and discovering new hacks to share.