To open the same app twice in Windows, first try its New window command or hold Shift and click its taskbar icon. This works only when the app supports another window or instance. Repeatedly opening a single-instance program may simply bring its existing window to the front.
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A new window is not always a second instance
| What you want | Best first option |
|---|---|
| Two documents side by side | Use the app’s New window or Open command. |
| Another browser window | Use the browser’s New window command. |
| Separate browser sign-ins | Use separate browser profiles where supported. |
| A second independent copy of a program | Check whether the program supports multiple instances. |
| Two copies of a game | Check its launcher, account rules and technical support. |
One process can manage several windows, and several processes can belong to one app. Counting entries in Task Manager does not by itself tell you how many independent sessions you have.
Try the app’s own window controls
Look in File or the main menu for New, New window or Open. Many browsers use Ctrl + N for a new window, but shortcuts differ between apps. Some editors open a new tab unless you choose a separate-window command.
If you want both windows visible, use Windows’ Snap controls to arrange them. Multiple virtual desktops organize windows; they do not automatically create extra independent copies of an app.
Use Shift-click on the taskbar
Hold Shift and left-click the app’s taskbar button. Microsoft‘s Windows shortcut reference lists this as a way to open an app or another instance. The program still decides what it supports.
For quick access, see our taskbar pinning guide. A second button may be grouped with the first, so hover over the icon to check its open windows.
Keep different accounts separate
For a browser, a separate profile is usually clearer than opening another ordinary window: two normal windows in the same profile commonly share cookies and sign-in state. Use the app’s supported account-switching or profile feature first.
Running a program as another Windows user is a different operation and may still be unsupported by that app. It can also change which files and settings are accessible. Do not assume it is required just to compare two documents.
Why the second copy will not open
- The app intentionally allows only one running session.
- The launcher returns you to the current window.
- A game or paid app restricts concurrent sessions or account use.
- The computer lacks enough memory for the extra workload.
Renaming an EXE, copying its installation folder or forcing it into a sandbox does not guarantee a supported second session. Test with one extra window before trying to open many copies at once, and save your work first.
If your goal is simply more screen space, our spacedesk guide explains adding a second display. It expands the desktop; it does not bypass an app’s instance limit.