How to run two Skype Accounts at once on win XP

How to run two Skype accounts on the same computer simultaneously
Requirements: Windows XP, Two Skype User accounts, Two Skype desktop shortcuts

I had to do this so I could receive calls from my call list in my personal Skype as well as from a another account--at the same time. Basically, you have to have two Skype programs using two different Windows User identities to have two different Skype accounts running at the same time.

1. First, Create a new Windows user by going to the Control Panel and Clicking on “User Accounts”. Choose “Create a new account” and follow the steps to set permissions. This will be the User name you use to run the new Skype account in addition to the normal Skype account you have.
   
2. We also suggest setting a password for the new user by clicking on the newly created User and choosing the Set Password option. The new user will also require admin rights on your PC.
3. Then, logon to Windows as the User you normally are.
   
4. Next, create a new desktop shortcut to Skype to use with the alternate User identity you just created. See the Windows Help menu on how to create desktop shortcuts to programs if yo need help.
5. Hold the Shift key down as you right-click on the new Skype shortcut. You should see a menu item called "Run As".
6. Choose that and select "The following User" and select the new User name you just created. Put in your password, too.
   
7. Logon to your second version of Skype.
   
8. after that one is running, logon onto your other Skype account that normally is open under your normal User name. You have to start the two Skype accounts in this order all the time.
   

Call Fowarding
You can have calls from one account be forwarded to the other account. This can be helpful for several reasons:

1. If you use a Skype portable phone, like my Linksys phone made for Skype, you can answer all calls from either Skype account from that one phone.
   
2. Remember, with Call Forwarding, you can redirect incoming Skype calls to another Skype Name, mobile or landline number.
   
3. For example I just have my Skype account with Skype-In receive all my inbound "real" phone calls and then forward them to my Skype name of my other Skype account.
   
4. If I had Skype-out minutes on my inbound account, I could also have those inbound calls ( from a phone or from a computer) forwarded to up to three real phones numbers at once.
5. With Skype-out on my second account ( now about $36/year unlimited calls to US & Canada!!), I can return all my domestic calls from my second account. I can also buy international Skype-out minutes for either account to make international calls.
   

Hope that helps you.

Blessings,


Bob Fox