If you have more than one Skype account – say one for business and another for personal use – you can run two Skype applications at the same time! Provided you have Skype version 4 or better. The following “tip” applies only to Windows, as I haven’t had a chance to play with solutions on the Mac.

Thanks to koreanheman and zegway over at the Skype forums for providing the solution.

Step 1: Go to the location to where you installed Skype. For example:

C:Program FilesSkypePhone

Step 2: Right-click on the Skype.exe icon and select “Send to” -> “Desktop (as shortcut)” to create a new shortcut to it on your Desktop.

Step 3: Now go to your Desktop and right-click on the newly created shortcut. Select “Properties”.

Step 4: Append the following to the “Target:” text field without changing the existing text:

/secondary

Step 5: Select the “General” tab and give your shortcut a meaningful name like “Skype 2″.

Step 6: Press “OK” and then double-click both your regular Skype shortcut and the new one to start two instances of Skype.

Have fun and don’t forget to request “add me to your contacts” before making a call.

Update for Windows 7

For Windows 7 simply right-click onto your desktop and create a new shortcut.

The path to Skype (on Windows 7 64bit) is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe

Hit next and amend the target field with:

/secondary

So that it now reads:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /secondary

The ‘Start in’ field should just read:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe

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This entry was posted on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 at 11:10 and is filed under How to. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

ayb

thanks a lot mate!
- http://www.axelsegebrecht.com/ Axel
  
  You are welcome mate.
ayb

thanks a lot mate!
- http://www.axelsegebrecht.com Axel
  
  You are welcome mate.
Dragomir

Perfect! Thanks!
/secondary switch works in Vista x64 too !
Dragomir

Perfect! Thanks!
/secondary switch works in Vista x64 too !
Guenter

Thank you very much for this tip – it works fine.
Before Skype version 4 I used “runas” on different windows user accounts – but after I did update to version 4, I got afraid, because it was not working anymore.
But now, /secondary does it too, and it’s the better solution.
(I assume, it will not come to me that I would need a third instance of Skype … )

Guenter
Guenter

Thank you very much for this tip – it works fine.
Before Skype version 4 I used “runas” on different windows user accounts – but after I did update to version 4, I got afraid, because it was not working anymore.
But now, /secondary does it too, and it’s the better solution.
(I assume, it will not come to me that I would need a third instance of Skype … )

Guenter
Hil

Thanx man.
How do uU run this on vista?
Can’t change the Target field.
Hil

Thanx man.
How do uU run this on vista?
Can’t change the Target field.
Hil

Never mind- found the answer.
You need to create the shortcut directly from the exe file.
Thanx again.
Hil

Never mind- found the answer.
You need to create the shortcut directly from the exe file.
Thanx again.
Roman

Hello,

This is the only solution that worked for me. Thanks!!!
Roman

Hello,

This is the only solution that worked for me. Thanks!!!
http://www.axelsegebrecht.com/ Axel

Happy to see you all found the little tutorial helpful

Thanks for your feedback
http://www.axelsegebrecht.com Axel

Happy to see you all found the little tutorial helpful

Thanks for your feedback
Sam

Hi Friend

Very Informative. Thanks.
Sam

Hi Friend

Very Informative. Thanks.
jinesh

Thanx A lotttttttttt Dude!!
http://-- jinesh

Thanx A lotttttttttt Dude!!
- http://www.modernmarketingsupport.com Shari
  
  Thank you for this tip. It was very helpful and I’m grateful you took the time to write this out. I’ve been going nuts since the newest upgrade trying to log in and log out of 2 accounts. It was making me crazy. Thanks for giving me my sanity back!
http://www.modernmarketingsupport.com/ Shari

Thank you for this tip. It was very helpful and I’m grateful you took the time to write this out. I’ve been going nuts since the newest upgrade trying to log in and log out of 2 accounts. It was making me crazy. Thanks for giving me my sanity back!
tito

Does this apply for theirs API as well? if 2 different devices cant use them then …nothing.I need 4 instances (with API`s)of skype 4? How can i do that. Thanks
tito

Does this apply for theirs API as well? if 2 different devices cant use them then …nothing.I need 4 instances (with API`s)of skype 4? How can i do that. Thanks
Serge

Skype 4.0.0.26 but /secondary doesn’t work.
Serge

Skype 4.0.0.26 but /secondary doesn’t work.
Ludo

cheers, that rocks! working on Windows XP
Skype 4.1.0.179
Ludo

cheers, that rocks! working on Windows XP
Skype 4.1.0.179
Alan

I like the post; there is however an application I use called Skype Launcher; it will open more than one Skype as well on the same PC without using another User Account. Alan
Alan

I like the post; there is however an application I use called Skype Launcher; it will open more than one Skype as well on the same PC without using another User Account. Alan
http://sites.google.com/site/universal001/ Rafael

Thanks, it works great!!!
http://sites.google.com/site/universal001/ Rafael

Thanks, it works great!!!
Pedro Silva

Hello! It works great with W7 too! I was making a mistake in previous tips from other sites: I was including the /secondary within the ” ” ! Big mistake!
Pedro Silva

Hello! It works great with W7 too! I was making a mistake in previous tips from other sites: I was including the /secondary within the ” ” ! Big mistake!
Lsuchef

i use vista and Skype 4.1.0.179 but i can not change the Target field. I have also created the shortcut directly from the exe file.
Lsuchef

i use vista and Skype 4.1.0.179 but i can not change the Target field. I have also created the shortcut directly from the exe file.
mounir

thanks it works
mounir

thanks it works
Nightshadecx5

Hey Lsuchef..Make sure you put a space before the /seconday
Nightshadecx5

Hey Lsuchef..Make sure you put a space before the /seconday
kristiutz

works like a charm for skype 4.1.0.179
kristiutz

works like a charm for skype 4.1.0.179
http://www.axelsegebrecht.com/ Axel

Happy to see so many of you find my post useful

Thanks for the comments and feedback.
http://www.axelsegebrecht.com Axel

Happy to see so many of you find my post useful

Thanks for the comments and feedback.
jarnail

Many thanks. I am running 3 skypes on my systme now.

Really thanks
jarnail

Many thanks. I am running 3 skypes on my systme now.

Really thanks
Ken

thanks! it really works. no need to create a 2nd system account. COOL!
Ken

thanks! it really works. no need to create a 2nd system account. COOL!
Alex

Tanks a lot!!
Alex

Tanks a lot!!
fedor

Thanks! Coooool! I thought i never find a solution!!! U ARE GREAT!!!!
Good Job!
fedor

Thanks! Coooool! I thought i never find a solution!!! U ARE GREAT!!!!
Good Job!
Pingback: Zwei Skype-Accounts auf einem PC online bringen | Lestarte.com bLog
http://www.axelsegebrecht.com/ Axel

Thanks for all your kind words folks, glad to be of help!
http://www.axelsegebrecht.com Axel

Thanks for all your kind words folks, glad to be of help!
Charles

This works for me. Truly appreciate it!!
Charles

This works for me. Truly appreciate it!!
http://www.seobulls.in Subeer

It’s Really helpful.
in windows 7 professional also.
http://www.seobulls.in Subeer

It’s Really helpful.
in windows 7 professional also.
http://www.linwilliam.com WillPWR

Thanks. One of the best info found!
http://www.linwilliam.com WillPWR

Thanks. One of the best info found!
Pepe

Thanks dude! This was the only one usable advice out of thousands!!!
Pepe

Thanks dude! This was the only one usable advice out of thousands!!!
Tom

you explained how to open 2 instances of skype, so how do you open 3 or 4 or more instances of skype. Thanks.
Tom

you explained how to open 2 instances of skype, so how do you open 3 or 4 or more instances of skype. Thanks.
http://www.podcastingpowertools.com/ Rob

Is there a way to use this tip to run 3 or 4 instances. I want to use multiple sound cards in one computer to run multiple skype callers into a mixer with mix minus and control each caller on individual channels.
http://www.podcastingpowertools.com/ Rob

Is there a way to use this tip to run 3 or 4 instances. I want to use multiple sound cards in one computer to run multiple skype callers into a mixer with mix minus and control each caller on individual channels.
http://www.raajkumar.co.cc Rajkumar

Excellent notes…

I’ve tried it in windows7.

we need to change the step 1 as mention below..

1. copy the skype.exe and paste it in the same folder(different name).

2. and follow from step-2..
http://www.raajkumar.co.cc Rajkumar

Excellent notes…

I’ve tried it in windows7.

we need to change the step 1 as mention below..

1. copy the skype.exe and paste it in the same folder(different name).

2. and follow from step-2..
PJ

Very helpful indeed. I had been looking to do this for a while now. Thanks very much for this information.
PJ

Very helpful indeed. I had been looking to do this for a while now. Thanks very much for this information.
Anonymous

Thats so cool! For those having personal and business account it will be very useful!
Anonymous

Thats so cool! For those having personal and business account it will be very useful!
Admin

Thanks for the advice and screen-shots really helpful. You’re a star
Admin

Thanks for the advice and screen-shots really helpful. You’re a star
Rajeshgrv

Thanks Very much .
Rajeshgrv

Thanks Very much .
Dylan

Awesome. Thanks for the great instructions!
Dylan

Awesome. Thanks for the great instructions!
Pingback: How To Run Multiple Instance of Skype on a Same Computer
Private

To run 3, 4 or more instances of Skype, just create multiple shortcuts of the “/secondary” type shortcut and name them differently.

Recording your calls: The first “primary” instance of Skype is the only instance that the utility CallBurner will records. I’ve sent a HelpDesk ticket to the Pamela call recording utility asking if their product will records from multiple Skype instances.

The Skype-Launcher utility is nice in that it will automatically launch as many instances of Skype you save and log you into both, however, there is no way to to chose which Skype account you want to be ‘primary’ therefore, you cannot chose which account you may want to record from. So…

I’m back to launching skype sessions from desktop shortcuts. This way the first instance of skype, which is primary, you can at least chose which Skype account you want to be able to record from.
Private

To run 3, 4 or more instances of Skype, just create multiple shortcuts of the “/secondary” type shortcut and name them differently.

Recording your calls: The first “primary” instance of Skype is the only instance that the utility CallBurner will records. I’ve sent a HelpDesk ticket to the Pamela call recording utility asking if their product will records from multiple Skype instances.

The Skype-Launcher utility is nice in that it will automatically launch as many instances of Skype you save and log you into both, however, there is no way to to chose which Skype account you want to be ‘primary’ therefore, you cannot chose which account you may want to record from. So…

I’m back to launching skype sessions from desktop shortcuts. This way the first instance of skype, which is primary, you can at least chose which Skype account you want to be able to record from.
Zahid

Good Work
Zahid

Good Work
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZJ45JYBDMBASSWWJUBGOGIPBLU Rek

Thanks, that was very helpful (Rek1201)
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZJ45JYBDMBASSWWJUBGOGIPBLU Rek

Thanks, that was very helpful (Rek1201)
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZJ45JYBDMBASSWWJUBGOGIPBLU Rek

Thanks, that was very helpful (Rek1201)
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZJ45JYBDMBASSWWJUBGOGIPBLU Rek

Thanks, that was very helpful (Rek1201)
Dan Carrasco

EXCELLENT !!!!!!!!!!! Works, thanks!
Dan Carrasco

EXCELLENT !!!!!!!!!!! Works, thanks!
Palaskas

AMAZING !!!!!! Thank you very very very much !!!!!!
Palaskas

AMAZING !!!!!! Thank you very very very much !!!!!!
Proto_popitoricescovici

thanks, this is awesome
Proto_popitoricescovici

thanks, this is awesome
IT guest

Finally a solutions for proffessionals and not the improvisations which make you loose time and IT nerves. Thank you so much.
IT guest

Finally a solutions for proffessionals and not the improvisations which make you loose time and IT nerves. Thank you so much.
Red

Your the man!!!
http://www.axelsegebrecht.com/ Axel Segebrecht

Thanks for all the positive comments. Glad to see my post helped you
Lily

Thank you SO MUCH!!

I am new to Windows 7, so since I just recently switched over from Vista, I lost my 2 instances of Skype.

Now I’m back in business (and personal) at the same time.

This was most informative!!!
- http://www.axelsegebrecht.com/ Axel Segebrecht
  
  You are welcome Lily. Happy to see it worked for you
http://twitter.com/rajkumarthangam Rajkumar

Thanks a lot.. what a great brain you guys…
Sales

Can’t seem to get two instances running on Win 7 limate using the directions?
Michael Kroon

Hello, I’m trying to get it done, just as explained above, but in windows 7 (32bit) and in windows xp I can’t get it working. I followed all the steps and I have even copied the Skype.exe and made the shortcut on the desktop but that did not work, please help me!
Michael Kroon

Hello again,
I have googled for any answers and I have found a very easy solution for 2 instances of Skype running on windows 7 (32 bits), I haven’t tried it on the xp, but I think it will work too. Just go to the start button and type or paste in the field from then “run” : “C:Program FilesSkypePhoneSkype.exe” /secondary Including the special symbols!! That’s it, but I’ve allready tried to paste it in just an shortcut, but it won’t work, just paste it in a notebook file or something like that!
Yami-samurai

I’ve got the I/O Error message and it asks me to quit the first account -_- how I can solve it ? I”m running Windows 7 x64 bit and the latest version of Skype.
Michaylawcarlann6

It actually works on W7 64 bit. Thanks for the tip !
Dino

Ok that’s nice so far, but how can i run multiple versions of skype at the same time?
Skype 4 an Skype 5 for example!!
- Jason
  
  It is very useful . thanks a lot!
user

A good informative post. Thanks!

I believe this section should be corrected:

“
The ‘Start in’ field should just read:

C:Program Files (x86)SkypePhoneSkype.exe”"Should read:”
The ‘Start in’ field should just read:

C:Program Files (x86)SkypePhone
“
Kktechnogaze

Thanks a lot this is what i was trying to make working for me?
http://encoreservices.info/ Encore Services

If anyone is having problems amending/copying a shortcut direct, @b539b0e7621fc5140dd6d956a05ae619:disqus’s solution seems to work best and to avoid having to use the “Run” command line each time, follow these instructions
1. Open Notepad
2. Paste in “C:Program FilesSkypePhoneSkype.exe” /secondary (including the quotes)
3. Save the file as something like Skype2.bat to “My Documents” somewhere
4. Right-click on the desktop and select New>Shortcut
5. Paste in the path/browse to your Skype2.bat and click Next
6. Give it a relevant name
7. You should be good to go
If you check the properties for the shortcut, the .bat has been replaced with the Skype secondary command
Et voila!
Ansorescobar

many many thanks……100% working
Jesus2

Thanx a lot! It works perfectly on Windows 7.. Greetings from Spain
snake

Thanks very much !!! worked on windows 7 64 bit no problems !!! CHEERS !!!!
http://www.sigaminfo.net/ Guest

Thanks Superb!!

Unfortunately I am using 32 bit and for that “”C:Program FilesSkypePhoneSkype.exe” /secondary” this is only working out when typing in run window
http://www.sigmainfo.net/ Guest

Thanks Superb!!

Unfortunately I am using 32 bit and for that “”C:Program FilesSkypePhoneSkype.exe” /secondary” this is only working out when typing in run window
http://www.sigmainfo.net/ Grails

Thanks Superb!!

Unfortunately I am using 32 bit and for that “”C:Program FilesSkypePhoneSkype.exe” /secondary” this is only working out when typing in run window
Lolz

Thanks worked great
Ama

thanx a lot
allthetimeslearner

Cool. On Windows 7 simply running ”C:Program Files (x86)SkypePhoneSkype.exe” /secondary
is starting second instance when the first instance was started.
Afzaal Ahmad

Thanks

Run Multiple Instances of Skype

Update for Windows 7

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