Running two instances of the same program?

[jaydee]

I was wondering if anyone knows a way to run two instances of the same program at the same time. I just got dual monitors at work and it would be real handy if I could look at two blue prints side-by-side, but by default it will just open the second print as a new window within the same instance.

I can kind of get around it by expanding the new window across both screens and manually adjusting the size of each print to fit a different screen, but that gets annoying in a hurry when you have to do it a lot. Also I have dual monitors at home and I would really like to run e-sword side-by-side but clicking on the icon twice results in "program already running" screen.

So is there anyway to "fool" windows into opening the same program twice. I mean, it's not like either of these programs are very resource intensive, I don't see how it could be a problem.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Looney]

Create a second shortcut on your desktop.
Open shortcut properties.
Click on Advance button.
Check 'Run with different credentials'.

 

[jaydee]

Is that an XP option only? I'm running Win2k SP2 here at work (XP at home, I'll try it when I get out), and under the General -> Advanced..., all I see are check boxes for:

"File is ready for archiving"
"For fast searching, allow Indexing Service to index this file"
"Compress contents to save disk space"
"Encrypt contents to secure data"

 

[corkyg]

Some programs allow it - others do not. I frequently open two iterations of IE when I want to hold something in a reply and also want to browse for something else. But some programs don't allow that.

 

[EagleKeeper]

May also have to do with the design of the program.

If a program checks for another copy (and the detection algorithm ist he key) and shuts down; there is not much that you can do.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: jaydee
Is that an XP option only? I'm running Win2k SP2 here at work (XP at home, I'll try it when I get out), and under the General -> Advanced..., all I see are check boxes for:

"File is ready for archiving"
"For fast searching, allow Indexing Service to index this file"
"Compress contents to save disk space"
"Encrypt contents to secure data"

In W2K, make sure you're in the Shortcut tab, and there should be a checkbox there that says 'Run as different user'. Just put a check in that box, and you should be good. You should be able to just log in as Guest and have the second program open... i couldn't do it on my system, but my copy of W2K is on VMware and it's a little messed up atm, so that could be why i couldn't.

 

[jbritt1234]

I'd say it just depends on the program. With a few MMO's i have run two instances of the games. You just install one using the defaults. Then, go through the install again, but specify a different folder for it.

For instance;
c:\program files\instance
c:\program files\instance2

But, just depends on the program if it will allow you to do that.

 

[Argo]

Most duplicate detection is done via window name. Window name is an internal property of the program, which can't be easily changed (if at all). There are probably some debugging tools that allow you to alter the name of the program window, however I haven't used any in a long while so I'm not sure if it'll work.

 

[mikeford]

Try what people here have already said, if that doesn't work go looking for support forums for the specific program and ask there. Its a common enough thing that people want to do. As a practical matter on many games I play I just use two PCs and a KVM.