How to run multiple versions of a Windows program

As a Windows user, you often may need to run multiple versions of a program. These versions can work separately and, if necessary, under different accounts. There are several ways you can run another instance of the same application. The following instructions will explain which method is more suitable for a particular type of program.

1. Just re-launch the program

The easiest method to run another program instance is to simply re-launch it while it's open. This works best for browsers, Microsoft Office apps, and Windows utilities like Paint, Calculator, WordPad, Command Prompt, and even third-party software.

There are different ways to re-launch the program. From the Start menu, you can search and click the program again to launch it. It can be executed with a simple click or through Administrator mode . If a program, such as a browser, is pinned to the taskbar or saved as a desktop shortcut, you can click it as many times as you want to open multiple instances.

Alternatively, you can use or press Ctrl + N to restart programs such as Microsoft Word documents.

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You can also use Shift + click to launch multiple versions of the program again from the Taskbar window.

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2. Launch with Run Box in Windows 10

Another way to launch Windows programs use windows Run Box , this window can be accessed from Win + R . First, track the program's .exe file location and copy the entire path.

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Then, enter the following in the Run box to open a new instance .

"Program Path" /secondary

3. Use Windows + Shift + Number on the Taskbar

One of the fastest ways to restart a program instance is to determine the number corresponding to its position on the taskbar. You need to specify this number from left to right as shown here for the Paint file.

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To open the new version, use the following shortcut: Win + Shift + Number of the program in the Taskbar .

4. Use the web browser version of the program

If you use the methods above, it is very difficult to re-launch the programs from the Microsoft Store. These include applications like Skype, WhatsApp for desktop, Zoom and many others. You can run multiple versions using the web browser version of the program, if available. For Skype, you can easily access the new version from web.skype.com. You can use different Skype accounts or the same account on the desktop, as well as in the browser.

One way to get even better results is to use the browser's 'incognito mode'. As shown below with Skype, you can run three or more versions of a program that is easily accessible on the web.

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5. Relaunch the program as another Windows user

You can re-launch the program as a different Windows user than Administrator. From the Start menu, go to Settings> Accounts> Family & Other users . Here, you can add family members or others on this PC.

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If you choose the second option, you can use an Outlook ID or state that 'you don't have that person's credentials'. Now add the user without a Microsoft account to continue. Alternatively, you can create a new Microsoft account.

Provide a username and password for this new local account. Answer and save security questions. As shown here, a local account has been created. It can be easily removed from this window.

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Go to the program on the desktop, hold down Shift , right click and select 'Run as different user' .

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Enter the credentials that were used to create this local account. This will then help you run the program separately from any version other than admin privileges.

Some apps are designed to prevent multiple users from accessing the same device, especially premium software with a limited license. If none of the above methods work, you can also set up a virtual machine and run the application from within. Here are some of the best virtualization software for Windows that you can try.

Jessica Tanner

Update 01 October 2020