How To run Multiple Versions of the Same Program on your PC

[...] privileges in order to pull this off, so it probably wouldn’t fly at the workplace. How To run multiple versions of the same program on your PC [...]

[...] privileges in order to pull this off, so it probably wouldn’t fly at the workplace. How To run multiple versions of the same program on your PC [...]

thank you for the nice tip, it’s going to my bookmarks.

[...] Article Link [...]

Can this be used for windows Vista ultimate? I am planning to use WVU soon and can I have 2-3 instances of Microsoft Outlook running at the same time? And without any problem? And does it provide any more security? For example if User One is using Outlook to send / receive customer emails and User 2 is using Outlook to send / receive supplier emails. So for the purpose of not sending original supplier data to customer, isn’t running multiple version of the same program an excellent idea??? What about firewalls and antivirus software, will they have to be installed for each user separately.

Thanks for your time and sorry for many questions.

[...] tutorial isn’t mine, go to MakeUseOf.com to get [...]

This tips is brilliant! How come I never thought of this before?

This is a great idea, but it doesnt seem to work with Windows Live Messenger.

This is a great idea, but it doesn’t seem to work with Windows Live Messenger..?

Ken : Since I don’t have Vista (and I don’t plan to get it either), I can’t help you out with the Vista question. Plus I don’t use Outlook so I can’t help you out there either. However, from a security point of view, I can assure you that everything is 100% secure. You don’t need to make any adjustments to your firewall or anti-virus software if all the versions of the software are on the same computer. Everything will be protected.

As for people mentioning it doesn’t work with MSN Messenger, well that’s news to me. I don’t use MSN Messenger either but it’s good to know this nevertheless. I wonder why this doesn’t work?

I’m sure you’ve worked this out already but in the article, I forgot to say that when you have your user accounts set up, you go to the link / icon of the program you want to run again and you RIGHT-CLICK on the link /icon to get the “run as” option. Somebody asked me how you got that little menu to pop up….

Brilliant!

[...] privileges in order to pull this off, so it probably wouldn’t fly at the workplace. How To run multiple versions of the same program on your PC [...]

Good tip … for Windows Live Messenger, there isn’t any “run as” option when right-clicked on the program shortcut/link … hmmm, wonder why, too.

[...] How To run multiple versions of the same program on your PC » Cool Websites, Software and Internet … How To run multiple versions of the same program on your PC. Simple instructions… very helpful. (tags: internet-tools innovative) [...]

Nice tip! But creating too many users may create lots of folders in Document and settings. But this is certainly a good hack that does not require any additional software or complicated hacks.

By the way, let me correct you, in English version Windows, instead of “System Setup”, it’s “Control Panel”.

Mark: Thanks. I also am having second thoughts about using vista. Anyway, I guess, we should be able to use your recommendation on xp without a glitch and it’s actually a news that it does not work on msn, so if anyone has a workaround, then that will be great.

Just TOL (thinking out loud), what if someone is using those programs which help us to use all IM programs at once, like you open one program (i am not sure if it is called Trilian) and then u can use, msn, yahoo, etc, etc… so has anyone given it a try? if using multiple instances of such a program, then can you also actually use the 2 instances of the msn at the same time, through the use of such programs.

anyone given it a try? will be nice to know.

Eric,
I don’t use Windows Live Messenger, but generally you can get the “run as” option by holding down the shift button while right-clicking the program’s icon. Also, you can create shortcuts that will automatically start as another user. You will only be prompted for the password. I’ve done this at work. The instructions for doing this can be easily found with a Google search. Sometimes the syntax for the command can be tricky, but it’s not too hard to do. Just practice your “run as” command from the run box until you figure out what works.

Its called “Control Panel” instead of “System Setup”

Well it may not so obvious when you have non-English windows.

In German, the control panel is “systemsteuerung” which is “system setup”

I can’t get this to work and I’m not sure why. I have two logins on my laptop, Owner, with full admin access, guest, and another one I just created, called James. When I try the Run As command however, it only shows me the one called Owner. Also, I tried to rename the Owner login, to Administrator, but it told me I couldn’t as there was already one called that. It doesn’t show up in the User Accounts box though.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me please?

James : if it only shows one account (when there are more accounts on your PC) then it can only mean that you don’t have full administrator privileges on your Windows user account (an administrator can see everything). You need to be using a Windows account with full admin privileges. Try bringing the administrator account back to life by using the tutorial here - http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/registry-tweaks-to-give-your-windows-an-ooomph

Once you’ve done that, run Windows under the adminstrator account. You should now be able to see the other accounts under “run as”

how can you run multiple lines simultaneously off skype for a small business we would like to buy the linksys system that you plug into the router…thanks

[...] How To run multiple versions of the same program on your PC » Cool Websites, Software and Internet … (tags: windows multiple useraccounts) [...]

Clarification - This MAY help James.
I had a few issues setting this up. However, I found that, once you have created the account, (say Mark2) it is necessary to enter the account forst to ‘propogate’ it. THEN it’s ‘real’ on your system and you can follow Mark’s instructions.

On the OUTLOOK side of things - I can confirm that NO, you cannot run multilple Outlooks using this method. I REALLY need to as I run 2 business and we are forever sending emails with the wrong signature or from the account. Never mind - back to the drawing board…

David : I hate to disagree with you but it is not necessary to “enter” the new account first (I assume you mean log into the account?). I have the main admin account and four extra accounts and I have never in the 8 months that I have had them set up, ever had to go into the four extra accounts. I just set them up on the Windows User Accounts screen and they were immediately good to go.

i need to open two emails on same massenger

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im tryin to run a game on my machine twice… silkroadonline to p lvl my own chars… do you know if this method will work for that, if not do you know a way to get it to work

[...] are two options. One is the option I advocated on MakeUseOf back in September which is to make use of the “run as” command in the right-click menu. [...]

Hum, this tip doesn’t work for me (XPSP2), even with logging into the newly created accounts to “propagate” them as said in another post.
Both accounts have administrator rights and I can’t get any of my VoIP clients to run more than once (SJPhone, X-Lite, 3CX Phone). Even if I begin with the “Run as…” and then try to launch the program normally.
Any idea?

for gaming i usually go into properties from the desktop icon and in the target line at the end add this …. -multiple …. it will only open multiple instances if you access from desktop icon =) have fun!

I have been googling for this for last 2 hours and my search ends with this finest article. Many thanks its working with charm.