Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Run two instances of Skype

Originally posted here.

Same tip can be used to start multiple instances of other programs.


The only way to run 2 instances of Skype presently is:

On a Windows OS you can run another Skype instance at the same time if you start the second with another Windows user account. Example
1. Make sure you have another user account (login) for your Windows.
2. Right click the Skype icon and select "Run as..."
3. On the next screen click "The following user:" and select one different from the one you are currently logged in as on your computer.
4. Voila - another Skype opening which can be used independently from your first Skype instance. You can even make calls between them on the same computer



Additional tip from JP White.

To help automate the 'run as' trick you can create a second desktop icon for Skype and modify its properties. Click the advanced button and check the box 'run with different credentials'. After clicking on the modified icon it will ask you to sign in as another user. Changing the icon graphic also helps ensures you click on the correct icon.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I am using Skype in two or three instances but not in your way, i am using these in different way, i opened maximum 16 Skype client software at a time. i also can voice call and chat in between them. i generally use three skypes at a time the moment. one funny thing, i have different friends from around the world, who speak different languages. one day, one friend from Australia called who speak English only, another friend from China who speak only Chinese, third friend can speak Arabic from Dubai, so i was answering these three call, i told them, who can receive their language they need to respond, the remaining two should wait, i can hear three of them, but they three of them cant hear each other. it was very great exciting experience for me. i can speak English, Chinese, Arabic and Indian languages also. so I answered three three at a time.

Unknown said...

Skype 4.0 has easier way to have multiple instances running simultaneously with the /secondary option when the program is launched. See http://www.kudzuworld.com/Blogs/Tech/20090429A.en.aspx

Unknown said...

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