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Another Instance Is Running Configuration System Failed To Initialize
Windows operating system includes so many hidden or hard to notice features that even long time users are not aware of many of the hidden features present in Windows operating system.
The other day, when I was at friend’s place, I noticed my friend typing the program’s name in Windows 10 Start menu search box and pressing Enter key to open another instance of the Notepad. Now, many of you might be wondering what’s wrong with my friend’s approach to open another instance of the Notepad program.
While one can always open another instance of the program by typing its name in the search box and pressing Enter key, there are much easier ways to quickly launch another instance of applications in Windows operating system, including Windows 10.
Do all programs support multiple instances?
No, not all programs support multiple instances. For instance, by default, another instance of Windows Media Player can’t be launched. You need to use a tiny, third-party tool to make Windows Media Player support multiple instances. Likewise, universal or Store apps in Windows 10 don’t support multiple instances.
In short, barring a few programs like WMP and Skype, most of the desktop programs support multiple instances. Popular Office programs like Word and Excel also support multiple instances.
4 ways to open another instance of a program
Following are the four methods to quickly open another instance of a program in Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 7.
Method 1 – open another instance of a program via mouse
Method 2 – open another instance of an application using mouse
Method 3 – run another instance of an application using keyboard shortcut
Method 4 – use mouse to open another instance of a program
Method 1 of 4
Run another instance using mouse
Step 1: If an instance of the program is already running, simply right-click on its taskbar icon and then click on the program’s name to open another instance of the program.
For instance, if Notepad is already running, to open another instance, right-click on Notepad’s icon in the taskbar and then click Notepad.
Method 2 of 4
Run another instance of a program using mouse
Step 1: When an instance of the program is already running, hold down the shift key and then click (left-click) on the program’s icon in the taskbar to open another instance. If the program supports multiple instances, the action will open another instance.
Method 3 of 4
Open another instance using keyboard shortcut
Like me, if you prefer opening another instance using keyboard shortcut, there is a keyboard shortcut for that as well.
Step 1: If an instance of the program is already running, you can use Windows logo key + Shift + 1-9 to open another instance of the program. For instance, if Notepad program is appearing right next to the Start button and already running, then you can use Windows logo + Shift + 1 to open another instance.
Likewise, if the Paint program is the fourth program from the Start button, to open another instance, you need to press Windows logo key + Shift + 4.
Method 4 of 4
Easy way to open another instance of a program
This is the easiest way of the lot. Middle-click on the taskbar icon of a program that supports multiple instances to open another instance of the program. If this method is not working, please check your mouse settings. Go through our easy way to open multiple instances of a program in Windows 10 guide for detailed information.
Hope this helps!
I just tried to open PuTTY Portable and got the following error:
I have checked Task Manager and can't see that PuTTY Portable is running, despite what the message says. What could be going on?
Matthew19211 gold badge22 silver badges1313 bronze badges
gregggregg1,17622 gold badges99 silver badges2424 bronze badges
closed as not a real question by Brad Patton, Tog, Scott, Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007, DaveApr 23 '13 at 11:52
It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, visit the help center. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1 Answer
Go to the directory of where you installed your program. Then go to
gregggreggData
, there should be a file called PortableApps.comLauncherRuntimeData-FeedNotifierPortable.ini
(with the name of your respective program after the dash). The Status was probably stopped or running (meaning the program was probably closed abnormally), change it to stopped, save & exit. Copy the path in the PluginsDir, then go to that path & you'll see another file runtimedata.ini
, open it. Change the Status to stopped as well. Now open task manager & kill your respective application or do a reboot (to ensure its not running). Then try to launch normally :)1,17622 gold badges99 silver badges2424 bronze badges