Way to open multiple instances of desktop application?

jimjimmy1995

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I was wondering if it was possible to open multiple instances of the desktop app or if there are any third party applications which could add such functionality. I would like to use the built in side by side app feature but for programs running in the desktop so I can have something like notepad++ or visual studio open on the left side of the screen and have a steam or twitch chat open on the right so I can free up my second monitor for full screen viewing of videos/games/websites. I know I can do this by resizing the windows manually but it is very clunky and harder to manage when I want to close a program or open new applications.
 

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Right click on the Taskbar gives you multiple choices to arrange open windows (programs). Cascade, Stacked or Side by side.
 

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You could also try 'Desktops' by Sysinternals: Desktops

View attachment 41933
View attachment 41934

It will let you create 3 additional virtual 'desktops'
You can only run desktop applications in windows 3 - 4 and you can only access the 'Metro' UI from window 1, the 'Home' window.
 

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If you hold the shift key down and click the shortcut for your desktop program that is already running, it will open a second instance of that program. Works for IE and file explorer etc.
To split screen easily press the Windows Logo key and the left or right arrow key. That will open that programs window to fill half the screen. Press the Windows logo key + shift + an Arrow key and it will move from monitor to monitor. Windows Logo key and the up arrow key will put it full screen again.
 

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I was wondering if it was possible to open multiple instances of the desktop app
If you hold the shift key down and click the shortcut for your desktop program that is already running, it will open a second instance of that program.
Or use mouse wheel (= "middle mouse" click) and click the shortcut for your desktop program that is already running.
 

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    Windows 8
I already know about these features and applications. I'm specifically asking if it possible to open multiple instances of windows 8 applications as you can with desktop applications.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    Intel i7 4770k
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    Can't recall exact models.
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I was wondering if it was possible to open multiple instances of the desktop app/ I would like to use the built in side by side app feature but for programs running in the desktop so I can have something like notepad++ or visual studio open on the left

I'm specifically asking if it possible to open multiple instances of windows 8 applications as you can with desktop applications.

... So... what is it, desktop applications or 'Modern' apps?
 

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    HP Pavillion
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    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
My guess is it's about Metro APPs because with desktop programs you can have many instances of programs running side by side. When working on a computer without Total Commander, I open 2 or more instances of Windows Explorer to make it easier to transfer files between disks or partitions.
 

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Yeah, okay... but the applications the OP is suggesting are not 'Metro' apps, I find it confusing as to what the OP is after.
Pretty much all the replies suggest any possible alternatives, so what's he want?
 

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    HP Pavillion
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    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Yeah, okay... but the applications the OP is suggesting are not 'Metro' apps, I find it confusing as to what the OP is after.
I just tried it with 2 Metro APPs (that's all I have) and it did not work even after minimizing them to task bar or running on 2 monitors.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    Asus Prime x470 Pro
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    16GB Kingston 3600
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    WD 2 TB Blue
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Yeah, as far as I know you can't run two instances of the same Metro App at once. I am also confused as to what the OP wants to do?
 

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    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
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    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
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    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
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    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
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    Thermaltake TR 620
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    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
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    Stock heatsink fan
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    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
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I personally think it would be better to refer to them as "Desktop Programs" and "Metro Apps". When somebody says "Apps" I immediately think "Metro". If you say Program I think Desktop.
 

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    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
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    Asus
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    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
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    Stock heatsink fan
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    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
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    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I want to open multiple instances of the same metro app at once. That includes the 'desktop' metro app so I can effectively open desktop programs as metro apps. I do not want to open metro apps as desktop programs.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 4770k
    Motherboard
    MSI Z87 GD-65 Gaming
    Memory
    8GB Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x MSI GTX 770 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB Samsung SSD
    256GB Samsung SSD
    1TB Segate HDD
    Can't recall exact models.
    PSU
    EVGA NEX750B
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820
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    Air cooled (7 fans)
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I personally think it would be better to refer to them as "Desktop Programs" and "Metro Apps". When somebody says "Apps" I immediately think "Metro". If you say Program I think Desktop.
Me too. or at least "Applications" for desktop or "Apps" for modern as Apps is more associated with smart phones.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
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    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
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    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
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    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
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    CCM Nepton 140xl
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    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I want to open multiple instances of the same metro app at once. That includes the 'desktop' metro app so I can effectively open desktop programs as metro apps. I do not want to open metro apps as desktop programs.

Okay! Now we're getting somewhere, thanks for clarifying.
Ummm...... I don't think it's possible! :think:
but I'll try!
 

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    Windows 7 Home Premium
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    HP Pavillion
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    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
This is certainly a good question. jimjimmy1995. Very rarely I've had to use multiple instances other than with NotePad. My searching only brings up a Registry hack for Windows 8. I'm sure you know to be extra careful with these types of hacks. Launch Multiple Instances of App from Start Screen in Windows 8 | Team Windows 8 Perhaps someone has a better solution. I can't find anything in the tutes here.

BTW, they are called Store apps officially by MS. That's what they decided to call them after the BS threat over the word "Metro". What a crock that was! :rolleyes:
 

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This is certainly a good question. jimjimmy1995. Very rarely I've had to use multiple instances other than with NotePad. My searching only brings up a Registry hack for Windows 8. I'm sure you know to be extra careful with these types of hacks. Launch Multiple Instances of App from Start Screen in Windows 8 | Team Windows 8 Perhaps someone has a better solution. I can't find anything in the tutes here.

Unfortunately not what I am looking for. It seems the only thing that would work is if someone created a modification like the ones stardock makes that allows multiple instances of metro (or store) apps to be opened at the same time. Ideally I would simply like to open desktop apps in a metro style format rather than in a window. Essentially it would perform like a maximized program does on the desktop but in a metro frame so it could be re-sized and snapped together etc. Pretty much the opposite of ModernMix. Eventually I intend to design a custom OS built on top of Linux but until then I'm stuck with this...
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
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    Intel i7 4770k
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    MSI Z87 GD-65 Gaming
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    8GB Corsair Vengeance Pro
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    2 x MSI GTX 770 4GB
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    1920x1080
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    128GB Samsung SSD
    256GB Samsung SSD
    1TB Segate HDD
    Can't recall exact models.
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    EVGA NEX750B
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    NZXT Phantom 820
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    Logitech G510s
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    Windows Defender
I hope I can explain this correctly. There’s a new desktop, but it isn’t “the desktop” portal which is actually now the “Desktop app”. The desktop as we knew it is treated just like a Store app in all ways, even the way it closes. It can be pulled down, but not X’d out to close for there is no App Bar on it. Holding the WinKey, then tapping the period key, then the down arrow key, and then finally releasing the WinKey also closes it.

Here’s what the new desktop is > an example to try to explain: http://www.eightforums.com/customization/43655-post-your-desktop-2.html#post373089 The desktop is blank until it is filled with any Store app including the "Desktop app".

The best one can do is a mixture of Desktop and Modern/Metro Store app combo such as this:

Screenshot (75).png
 

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  • OS
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    Acer T690
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    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I basically want to be able to do something like this:

8eltBJv.png

I'd like desktop programs (the old style windowed applications) to open in separate apps (the new style metro apps) rather than on one desktop. That is the exact opposite functionality of Stardock's ModernMix program unfortunately. This would massively increase productivity for me.

I feel that the way they currently have it implemented has basically caused the entire OS to split into 2 separate sections meaning most people hate it. I don't see why they didn't do away with the desktop altogether in favor of the metro style programs which would at least keep things consistent. They could have simply designed a sandbox type app for desktop applications to run in that maximizes the desktop window essentially making it a metro app without requiring any UI changes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel i7 4770k
    Motherboard
    MSI Z87 GD-65 Gaming
    Memory
    8GB Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x MSI GTX 770 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    128GB Samsung SSD
    256GB Samsung SSD
    1TB Segate HDD
    Can't recall exact models.
    PSU
    EVGA NEX750B
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820
    Cooling
    Air cooled (7 fans)
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510s
    Mouse
    Logitech G700s
    Internet Speed
    ~1mb/s
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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