Run Multiple Instances of Skype
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 Files\Skype\Phone
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.
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ayb says:
April 21st, 2009 at 08:14
thanks a lot mate!
Axel says:
April 21st, 2009 at 08:29
You are welcome mate.
Dragomir says:
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:08
Perfect! Thanks!
/secondary switch works in Vista x64 too !
Guenter says:
June 23rd, 2009 at 19:17
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 says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:19
Thanx man.
How do u\U run this on vista?
Can’t change the Target field.
Hil says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:14
Never mind- found the answer.
You need to create the shortcut directly from the exe file.
Thanx again.
Roman says:
July 30th, 2009 at 09:11
Hello,
This is the only solution that worked for me. Thanks!!!
Axel says:
July 30th, 2009 at 09:25
Happy to see you all found the little tutorial helpful
Thanks for your feedback
Sam says:
September 10th, 2009 at 17:13
Hi Friend
Very Informative. Thanks.
jinesh says:
September 13th, 2009 at 12:45
Thanx A lotttttttttt Dude!!
Shari says:
September 24th, 2009 at 19:12
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 says:
October 13th, 2009 at 00:59
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 says:
October 15th, 2009 at 22:14
Skype 4.0.0.26 but /secondary doesn’t work.
Ludo says:
November 7th, 2009 at 22:12
cheers, that rocks! working on Windows XP
Skype 4.1.0.179
Alan says:
November 26th, 2009 at 03:26
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
Rafael says:
November 27th, 2009 at 22:30
Thanks, it works great!!!
Pedro Silva says:
November 30th, 2009 at 17:11
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 says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:19
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 says:
December 4th, 2009 at 16:23
thanks it works
Nightshadecx5 says:
December 7th, 2009 at 19:00
Hey Lsuchef..Make sure you put a space before the /seconday
kristiutz says:
December 7th, 2009 at 22:09
works like a charm for skype 4.1.0.179
Axel says:
December 7th, 2009 at 22:19
Happy to see so many of you find my post useful
Thanks for the comments and feedback.
jarnail says:
December 16th, 2009 at 19:39
Many thanks. I am running 3 skypes on my systme now.
Really thanks
Ken says:
January 15th, 2010 at 03:04
thanks! it really works. no need to create a 2nd system account. COOL!
Alex says:
January 15th, 2010 at 15:28
Tanks a lot!!
fedor says:
February 5th, 2010 at 14:40
Thanks! Coooool! I thought i never find a solution!!! U ARE GREAT!!!!
Good Job!
Zwei Skype-Accounts auf einem PC online bringen | Lestarte.com bLog says:
February 12th, 2010 at 07:21
[...] Nach ein bisschen Suchen habe ich folgende Lösung gefunden: http://www.axelsegebrecht.com/how-to/run-multiple-instances-of-skype/ [...]
Axel says:
March 31st, 2010 at 19:23
Thanks for all your kind words folks, glad to be of help!
Charles says:
April 24th, 2010 at 03:36
This works for me. Truly appreciate it!!
Subeer says:
May 9th, 2010 at 10:38
It’s Really helpful.
in windows 7 professional also.
WillPWR says:
May 22nd, 2010 at 14:15
Thanks. One of the best info found!
Pepe says:
June 17th, 2010 at 02:16
Thanks dude! This was the only one usable advice out of thousands!!!
Tom says:
June 20th, 2010 at 20:25
you explained how to open 2 instances of skype, so how do you open 3 or 4 or more instances of skype. Thanks.
Rob says:
August 12th, 2010 (3 weeks ago) at 01:17
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.
Rajkumar says:
August 24th, 2010 (2 weeks ago) at 09:10
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..