Login to multiple Skype accounts via shortcuts

Scenario

You have more than one Skype account and need to be able to login to both accounts simultaneously.

Solution

• Navigate to the Skype folder. Usually something like: C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone
• Right click on Skype.exe > Click Create shortcut. If necessary save the shortcut to the Desktop
• Right click on the newly created shortcut > Click Rename and give the shortcut an appropriate name (e.g. Personal)
• Once again right click on the shortcut > Click Properties and enter the following into the Target field, changing  USERNAME and PASSWORD for your Skype username and password:
  "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /secondary /nosplash /username=USERNAME /password=PASSWORD /legacylogin
  ***Note – Make sure this is pasted without any line breaks
  /legacylogin is only necessary for Windows XP and Vista
  
• Change the Run field to Minimized
• Click Apply and then Click OK
• Repeat the process above for any other Skype accounts you have
• Finally, right click on each of the shortcuts created and Click Pin to Taskbar
• Your shortcuts should now be operational

Understanding the Target command

“C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe” /secondary  /nosplash /username=USERNAME /password=PASSWORD /legacylogin

The first part of the command is the full path to the Skype programme and must be surrounded with inverted commas.

The first command option is /secondary. This option allows you to open an additional instance of Skype.

The second command option is /nosplash. This option prevents Skype’s splash screen displaying on start-up.

The third command option is /username. This option allows you to set your username.

The forth command option is /password. This option allows you to set your password.

The fifth command option is /legacylogin. This option has become necessary since Skype 5.5.0.113 on Windows XP and Windows Vista