Multiple Skype Accounts on one computer?

June 18, 2006 By Puzzler With 50 comments

A few weeks ago a guy skyped me and I first thought, that he might wants to spam me with something to sell. Actually he is writing a book about Skype and was asking some questions, which I was only partly able to answer.

He seems to be much more familiar with all the little Skype tricks and he writes in his blog about these.

One trick I found extremly helpful: it lets you run multiple skypes on one machine - it is a dirty hack, but if you are the admin on your box, you might want to try it:

Create a new windows user with admin rights (e.g. "skype2")
Create a link on your desktop with the following destination: %windir%\system32\RUNAS.exe /profile "/user:skype2" /savecred "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe"

A click on that link will open a second skype for the user "skype2" with its own profile!

I have not tried to place 2 simultaneous calls, but that should not work, if they use the same resources... you might let me know!

Anom. / April 7, 2007 at 1:21 am

Yes – it worked. I have three different accounts opened right now (using XP) and I called a landline with two seperate accounts at the same time.
Misho / April 7, 2007 at 1:01 pm

For some reason mine didn’t work. Don’t know why…
Damian / April 22, 2007 at 2:37 pm

The automated link didn’t work for me either

But you can right click on the skype icon and click Run As and then choose your skype2 admin user (must have password)
Deb / July 10, 2007 at 8:16 pm

You’re wonderful! Thank you! This works aces.
Thomas / August 8, 2007 at 6:20 am

Thank you so much! After years of awkwardly juggling with skype accounts, you finally showed me the way…

One issue I have – whenever I want to start skype with the secondary account (ie., as another user than the one I’m already logged on to Windows with) an ugly old dosbox prompts the password of the other windows user.

Is there a way I can get rid of this ? (without creating another windows user with admin rights with no password protection, that is.)

Thank you in advance.

Thomas
Thomas / August 8, 2007 at 11:10 am

Update

I just found that the tricks works with a password-free “guest” account, too. It still brings up the dos-box, though.

Thomas
jan geirnaert | tropicaljantie / October 15, 2007 at 9:30 pm

yes, I am that guy and somebody else told me. We have even written a program for it.
Archie / October 30, 2007 at 3:22 am

Hi

i tried it its great it works on my pc but when i try the same thing on other friends pc it does not i dont know wat the problem is but its really great
sebastian / November 14, 2007 at 12:29 pm

I actually get an error message, when I use the destination above on win xp sp2 (german). Deleting the quotation marks around “/user:skype2″ however fixes this issue.
john / December 12, 2007 at 12:00 am

hi all,
I have installed skype. but am unable to run that. The skype name box is black as i cant type anything. can anyone tell me any solution.
Mims / December 24, 2007 at 12:55 pm

For some reason it didn’t work on my computer… Could it be that Windows Vista isn’t suitable for that?
BipBipTarzan / January 4, 2008 at 7:29 am

It works on XP but does’t work on VISTA. Please help running on vista.
Sam / January 19, 2008 at 7:47 pm

yeah its not working in Vista ….,

any body have a solution for that …………….
waiting for reply

Sam
Administrator / January 20, 2008 at 8:29 am

See here:

http://www.tradebit.com/channels/software/110692/multiple-skype-accounts-on-windows-vista/
Zool / February 7, 2008 at 6:07 am

how do I Create a link on my desktop?
Muhammad Amin Ahmad / February 8, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Hey guys.. great.. I also get connected my two accounts at same time at same PC. thanks a lot bros.
Me / February 14, 2008 at 6:21 pm

i cant make the link pls help me
Cleod / February 17, 2008 at 12:24 am

How do i Create the link? Are you talking about creating a shortcut?
Joseph / February 19, 2008 at 5:07 am

%windir%\system32\RUNAS.exe /profile “/user:skypehaihai” /savecred “C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe”
Brad Wilson / May 20, 2008 at 11:55 am

Hello Everyone,

I have found the solution to this question. I have used this software and it really works on windows Xp and Vista.

Please visit the following link

http://www.freewebs.com/davidcartnor/softwares.htm

Its very easy all we have to do is to pay one time $10.00 as donation to this user and have to subscribe to his site in order for him to make sure that he send the software to the right email address.

I did this and i am really enjoying skype much better than earlier.

Thanks
Brad
skynexus / June 10, 2008 at 8:33 am

dont work on mine…here’s my own…

i run a private and a prime skype simultaneously…

1. make sure to have another user account
2. open file directory to where skype has been installed..
(ex. C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\)
3. right click skype.exe and choose run as..
4. choose another account and password then ok

hope it help..
skypehelper / June 17, 2008 at 10:45 am

actually, this is for free:

http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=88055
Tony / June 23, 2008 at 1:10 pm

Hi Can you help me

I have never used skype credit before – I have used skype as a skype to skype only before successfully- here’s my problem – I paid for credit on one account and when I went to use it I could not make any calls then I noticed the the account that purchased the credit was different form the account that showed up on the dial in page where you enter the ld # = so I must have registered another skpe account sometime ago – but this account has no money in it – it is in the first account – so I do I switch to my account that has the money in it ?

hopefully you may know the answer – thanks
Rapidsolutions / September 7, 2008 at 4:18 am

Yes – it worked. Awesome!!!!!
Thanks Buddy
Regards,
Rapidsolutions
Veljance / September 7, 2008 at 8:40 am

Most simple way is to go to root folder of skype and just make copy of the skype.exe file, run it and there you go
Paul / September 18, 2008 at 12:53 am

I don’t get the point of having 2 skype accounts running on one PC.
Bev / October 10, 2008 at 9:50 am

Hi there

I need to run 2 skype accounts on a mac, is this possible?

I really hope that someone can assist.

Thanks
Bev.
Laurynas / October 17, 2008 at 10:25 am

http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=195561
zzzzz / October 21, 2008 at 10:26 pm

I found a workaround for the link problem. Instead of a shortcut, I created a batch file on the desktop to run it. Here’s how:

1. right click on the desktop, select /new/text document
2. name it Skype2.bat
3. right click skype2.bat, select /edit
4. paste in
%windir%\system32\RUNAS.exe /profile “/user:guest″ /savecred “C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe”
(assuming you are using a guest account, or replace ‘guest’ with the account name)
5. Save. you’re done.
openmitko / October 28, 2008 at 4:48 am

It is very easy on Linux, just start skype again and voala you have 2 account on one computer.
X.L / November 13, 2008 at 3:28 am

Hi Bev,

I join you, I got the same problem.

Need to run 2 skype on MAC OS. (on PC you have Skype launcher, is great and very easy).
Hope this little program exist for MAC !!!!!!

Thanks for your answer

X.L
Laurynas / November 25, 2008 at 11:10 am

Released new loader for Skype 3.8.0.188
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=195561
Frank / January 6, 2009 at 1:38 pm

There is a VIRUS on SKYPE and Yahoo Messanger which automatically sends an attachment to ALL in the contact list (attachment infacted with memory resident virus). I had it on my office and home PC and it is annoying like hell. Does someone know the cure? Ran all different anti-viruses and it dit not cure… ended up formatting the office computer… very annoying indeed! Does someone knows the cure???

Thanx- Frank
Sonia / January 10, 2009 at 2:15 am

Hi frnds, I want to run multiple skype using VB.Net. Can somebody help me out how to implement it in VB.Net
Gamini / January 25, 2009 at 7:24 am

i got a issue with runas method when the 2nd skype in XP but 2nd skype is starting but it stuck.nothing can do.i try with saveing password going in to my second account but then it login but stuck no click,no type nothing..pls help
E-Quranlearning.com / March 1, 2009 at 5:15 am

Thanks Man Your Trick Really Works. keep it up
R.J. / March 24, 2009 at 8:43 pm

This works GREAT on my machine using XP. I have been trying to find a way to keep a personal account and a business account separate, but could only have one account open at a time. This was extremely helpful! THANKS!!
dee / April 8, 2009 at 5:06 am

BEWARE ! Will not work with new Skype 4, only first running skype will be activated. If you have an public IP, Skype 4 is additionally able to confuse your router and cripple all security. Don’t install this crap.
Kuzia / April 14, 2009 at 2:10 pm

Best way is to install skype 3.6 and download SkypeLauncher1.3.3
step 1….. create c:\skype folder and copy SkypeLauncher1.3.3 files to it.
step 2 …. copy skype.exe from c:\progr…..\skype…..\phone to c:\skype
step 3 …. uninstall skype
step 4 …. run skype once from c:\skype (do not sign in) and disable auto start and auto sign in
step 5 …. run SkypeLauncher_Config to add accounts
step 6 …. run SkypeLauncher
step 7 …. Have FUN!
P.S it’s work on Vista 32,/64 Windows 7 32/ 64
Peter / April 17, 2009 at 5:04 pm

for wista
1 run normaly
2nd find file skype.exe (program files(x86)\skype\phone) rightclick – “Run as Administrator”

so simply and it works
naji / May 26, 2009 at 12:23 pm

if some one send somrthing to me by the second skype i cant find it! because its working in another user and this user need a password i dont know how to know this password ?? some one help please
saran / June 18, 2009 at 5:20 am

there is a patch file multi skype loader where you can find in google search
that will make more easy and better than this i had try it and its works fine
Inacall / July 9, 2009 at 3:37 pm

It’s free and easy to download and use,and works with most computers.
Annu / October 8, 2009 at 1:48 am

I want to login in skype with multipal account and don’t wan to make two user in my computer. is there any way to do this?
Thank you!
Shradha Merchant / October 13, 2009 at 3:56 am

There is a simple way to create multiple instances of Skype. I have tried several tricks and only this one seems to work for me.

I use Windows XP SP 3 and I dont like to install too many extraneous programs like multi skype etc.

So for all those people who are trying to get multiple instances of skype running, here goes -

1. Create another account on your PC.
Control Panel>>User Accounts >>Create a new account

2. Select a name for the new account, for example, 4Skype

3. Select a password for it.

4. Open C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone

5. Right click Skype.exe

6. Click Send To >> Desktop.
This creates another shortcut to Skype on your desktop. It might appear as Skype (2) on your desktop.

7. Right click Skype (2)

8. Select Properties

9. In the Target field, delete the existing path.

10 Then copy paste this in the Target field -
“C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe” /secondary

11. Click OK.

Now, whenever you want to create two or more instances of Skype, double click the Skype (2) shortcut on your Desktop. Feel free to rename this shortcut, if you wish.

Hope this helps all newbies who find the tips a wee bit too advanced to follow correctly.
kiwi_fisho / November 13, 2009 at 3:56 pm

Howdie All

I have tried many different ways and suggestions and must say thank you to
Shradha Merchant Says:
October 13th, 2009 at 3:56 am

AS this worked for me

Thanks
Kiwi_fisho
Paul / December 20, 2009 at 11:51 pm

Hi Guys,

I have a happy news for you.. No need to use multiple accounts..

Check out the below link.
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=88055

It really Rock’s…

Cheers!!!!
Temet / February 3, 2010 at 5:39 pm

I have XP 64 … I’ve made the shortcut and the bat file and both types flash a dos window that disappears immediately and then nothing happens. Is this method compatible with XP 64?
Tam / February 15, 2010 at 8:58 am

the easiest way is to use the program sandboxie.
It emulates a seperate environment for skype… or any other program.

And – tadaa two or more instances are possible with no problem at all!
Sandboxie is free, if only one sandbox is used at the same time…

Easy and quick
Robert J. Gebis / March 23, 2010 at 1:22 pm

You can also run Desktop.exe (free utility from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc817881.aspx) and run multiple skypes. Tested on Win 7

Latest Postings

Multiple Skype Accounts on one computer?

Comments (50)

Authors

Categories

Admin

More of Tradebit

Ralfs Tweets

Latest