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As you work on your Windows 10 computer, you’ll find yourself needing to open multiple instances of the same app at some point. It could be for a presentation where you need to refer to two different versions of the same document or you need to copy files from one folder to the other. But, unfortunately, Windows 10 doesn’t allow you to open the same app twice by default.
The good news is that there are ways around this limitation, and in this article, we’ll show you some of the methods to open the same app twice on Windows 10.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Opening the Same App Twice on Windows 10
Windows 10 built-in function does not allow a user to open the same application for more than one times. While this feature may be useful for certain applications like Microsoft Word or Excel, it can be quite limiting for other apps that users may need to use multiple times for different reasons.
For example, if you need to run two instances of a media player, one for your headphones and another for your speakers, you can’t do it directly from the taskbar as Windows won’t open duplicate copies. However, not all is lost as there are several methods to open the same app twice that you can use.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods to open the same app twice on Windows 10, there are a few things you need to prepare:
1. A Windows 10 computer
2. The app you want to open twice
3. A basic understanding of Windows 10 settings
Method 1: Using File Explorer
This method is the easiest and quickest way to open the same app twice on Windows 10, and it involves using File Explorer to locate the app you want to open.
Here are the steps:
1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the app is located.
2. Right-click on the app’s icon and select ‘Copy’.
3. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop and select ‘Paste Shortcut’.
4. Rename the shortcut to something that will help you identify the instance of the app you just created.
5. Double-click on the new shortcut you just created to open the app instance.
Pros:
– Quick and easy to do
– Doesn’t require any extra software
Cons:
– The icon for the app will be different in the second instance
– The shortcut on the desktop could clutter your desktop
Method 2: Using Run Command
Another method to open the same app twice on Windows 10 involves using the Run command.
Here are the steps:
1. Press the Windows key and R on your keyboard to bring up the Run command box.
2. Type the executable name of the app you want to open (e.g. explorer.exe for File Explorer) and hit Enter.
3. The app will open in the first instance.
4. To open a second instance, press the Windows key and R again to bring up the Run command box.
5. Type the same executable name as before and hit Enter.
Pros:
– Doesn’t require any extra software
– No need to create a shortcut on your desktop
Cons:
– Requires you to know the executable name of the app
– Can be time-consuming if you need to open multiple instances of the same app
Method 3: Using Command Prompt
This is another simple method to open the same app twice on Windows 10. It involves using Command Prompt to launch the app.
Here are the steps:
1. Press the Windows key and type "cmd" to search for Command Prompt.
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select ‘Run as administrator’.
3. Type the executable name of the app you want to open and hit Enter.
4. The app will open in the first instance.
5. To open a second instance, type the same command as before.
Pros:
– Doesn’t require any extra software
– No need to create a shortcut on your desktop
– Can be quicker than using the Run command
Cons:
– Requires you to know the executable name of the app
– Can take up more space on your taskbar
Method 4: Using Third-Party Software
This method involves installing third-party software that allows you to run multiple instances of the same app.
One such software is "CloneApp," a free tool that backs up app settings and restores them on multiple instances. Here’s how to use CloneApp to open the same app twice on Windows 10:
1. Download and install CloneApp from the official website.
2. Launch CloneApp and select the app you want to clone.
3. Click on the ‘Profile’ button and name your profile.
4. Click on the ‘Backup’ button to back up your app’s settings.
5. Close the app and navigate to the folder where you installed the app.
6. Double-click on the new executable file to launch the cloned instance.
Pros:
– Allows you to open multiple instances of the same app
– Backs up app settings and restores them on multiple instances
Cons:
– Requires you to download and install third-party software
– Some third-party software may not be free or may contain malware
Why Can’t I Open The Same App Twice on Windows 10?
There are a few reasons why you can’t open the same app twice on Windows 10:
1. Windows 10 doesn’t allow multiple instances of the same app automatically, which can be limiting in some cases.
2. Some apps are designed to only run one instance at a time to prevent conflicts or system crashes.
3. Opening multiple instances of an app could cause performance issues if your computer doesn’t have enough resources to handle it.
However, as we’ve seen, there are methods to open the same app twice on Windows 10, so you won’t always be limited by this feature.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips that can help you when opening the same app twice on Windows 10:
1. Pin the app to your taskbar so you can easily open it multiple times.
2. Use the Windows key + number shortcut to quickly switch between app instances.
3. Use virtual desktops to separate different app instances.
5 FAQs About Opening the Same App Twice on Windows 10
Q1: What is the easiest way to open the same app twice?
A: The easiest way to open the same app twice on Windows 10 is by using File Explorer to create a shortcut on your desktop. You can then rename the shortcut to identify the instance of the app you just created and double-click on it to open the app instance.
Q2: Can I open multiple instances of any app?
A: No, some apps are designed to only run one instance at a time to prevent conflicts or system crashes. However, most apps will allow you to open multiple instances if you follow the steps we’ve outlined in this article.
Q3: Does opening multiple instances of an app slow down my computer?
A: If your computer doesn’t have enough resources to handle multiple app instances, it could cause performance issues. However, if your computer has enough resources, opening multiple instances of an app shouldn’t have any adverse effects.
Q4: Do I need third-party software to open the same app twice?
A: No, you don’t need third-party software to open the same app twice on Windows 10. You can use built-in Windows 10 features like File Explorer, Run command, and Command Prompt to launch multiple instances of an app.
Q5: Can I open more than two instances of the same app?
A: Yes, you can open as many instances of the same app as your computer can handle without any adverse effects.
In Conclusion
Opening the same app twice on Windows 10 can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. By following the methods we’ve outlined in this article, you can open multiple instances of an app whenever you need to. Remember to prepare your computer, use File Explorer, Run command, or Command Prompt whenever you can, and consider using third-party software like CloneApp if you need to open multiple instances often. With these tips and methods, you’ll be able to work more efficiently on your Windows 10 computer.