How To Run Two Instances Of Microsoft Teams

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Vector Linux
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Running two instances of Microsoft Teams can provide great convenience for people who require to be signed into multiple accounts at the same time or those who wish to keep their work and personal Teams accounts separate. This guide will walk you through the steps of running two Microsoft Teams instances on your computer.

Step 1: Download and Install Microsoft Teams

If you haven’t already, download and install the Microsoft Teams application from the official Microsoft website. Once the installation is complete, launch the application and log in to your primary Teams account.

Step 2: Enable the Multiple Instances Feature

By default, Microsoft Teams does not support multiple instances on the same computer. However, by following a few simple steps, you can enable this feature:

  1. Close the Microsoft Teams application completely.
  2. Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  4. Navigate to the following location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Teams.
  5. Right-click on the Teams folder and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  6. Name the new value as AllowMultiInstances.
  7. Double-click on the AllowMultiInstances value and set its data to 1.
  8. Click OK to save the changes.
  9. Close the Registry Editor.

Step 3: Create a Shortcut for the Second Instance

Now that you have enabled multiple instances of Microsoft Teams, you need to create a shortcut to launch the second instance:

  1. Right-click on an empty area of your desktop.
  2. Select New > Shortcut.
  3. In the location field, enter the following path: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Teams\Update.exe" --processStart "Teams.exe".
  4. Click Next.
  5. Enter a name for the shortcut, such as “Microsoft Teams (Second Instance)”.
  6. Click Finish to create the shortcut.

Step 4: Launch the Second Instance

With the shortcut created, you can now launch the second instance of Microsoft Teams:

  1. Double-click on the shortcut you created for the second instance.
  2. When prompted, log in with your secondary Teams account.

Conclusion

Running two instances of Microsoft Teams can provide you with the flexibility to manage multiple accounts or separate your personal and work communications effectively. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enable and launch a second instance of Microsoft Teams on your computer. Stay productive and organized with this handy feature!