14 DAY TRIAL // By default, Windows Live Messenger allows a single user to be signed in and running the client per computer. A second user under the same Windows account will not be able to log in in parallel to the first, as long as the instant messaging client is in its default configuration. There are of course methods to circumvent this handicap, including various applications designed to tweak the Windows Live Messenger in order to permit multiple users to log in and run the client simultaneously on the same machine, or a single user to sign in under multiple accounts. However, there is also a very simple workaround, which involves a registry hack. (via LiveSide)
As you can see from the screenshots integrated with this article, you will be able to run multiple versions of Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) Beta Refresh after the hack is complete. In this context, as the Beta Refresh build is very close to the final release of the instant messaging client, it is also probable that the hack will allow the multiple instances of the gold version of Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) to run concomitantly on the same machine.
Users will need to run the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the search box under the Start Menu in Vista and right-click the result selecting Run as Administrator. Under Windows XP, simply press the Windows key and R and in the Run dialog box enter regedit and press Enter. Navigating to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE – SOFTWARE – Microsoft - Windows Live, users will have to right click Messenger and create a New DWORD value labeled MultipleInstances. In order to wrap up the hack it is necessary that users edit the MultipleInstances registry key via right click and then modify the Value Data to 1 while keeping Hexadecimal selected.
The registry hack will allow for multiple instances of Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) to run simultaneously on the same computer. In order to revert back to the original configuration of the instant messaging client, simply navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE – SOFTWARE and delete the MultipleInstances key under Messenger.
