is it possible to have multiple sessions of chrome?

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  1. Posts : 1
    32 bit
       #11

    Found another solution to this. If you start chrome with using the "user-data-dir" parameter it will start a new instance. See Creating and Using Profiles - The Chromium Projects
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  2. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #12

    Welcome to Seven Forums Bdobek. Using profiles is a good solution.
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  3. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #13

    As of 2014-10-05, the easiest way to run multiple sessions, versions or instances of Chrome is to use Google Chrome Portable, downloaded from:
    Google Chrome Portable | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives

    Currently I'm running 4 separate instances of Google Chrome v37.0.2062.124. One instance is installed and three other instances of Google Chrome are portable.

    Here's how my Windows 7 Taskbar looks like when all 4 instances of Chrome are opened:




    If you want to change Google Chrome icon that is shown on the Windows Taskbar once Google Chrome is started, then you should follow this link:
    windows 8 - Is it possible to customize taskbar icons? If so how? - Super User

    The answer is given in comments: you need to change icons that are stored in chrome.dll using Resource Tuner (use Trial version) or Resource Hacker (free).

    I've used IcoFX (Trial version) to generate various .ico icons.
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  4. Posts : 8
    Windows 8 x64
       #14

    hi, this might fit your need better than PortableChrome.

    Check out the "user-data-dir" flag. It's used this way:

    chrome.exe --user-data-dir=D:\MySeparateChromeFolder

    Before using this flag, create the D:\MySeparateChromeFolder (change the name and location to whatever you want), but don't put anything in it. Then run the above command (with your desired name and location) from a command-window, the Run box, or make a new shortcut containing this command.

    This will launch a completely independent Chrome -- more extreme than profiles. Chrome launched with this flag will have almost nothing in common with Chrome launched without this flag. It will have separate extensions, history, settings, bookmarks, etc, and other startup flags used with this instance will have no affect on other chrome instances.

    This may be preferable to PortableChrome, because it does not require a separate installation of Chrome, but still gives extreme separation.
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  5. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #15

    At first I was using Chrome Portable approach posted above.
    Then I switched to using setup (installed) versions of Google Chrome + Google Chrome Canary + Chromium.

    Now johnywhy posted even better solution: user-data-dir flag.

    I've just tested user-data-dir flag and it works just fine.

    One thing to keep in mind is if you're creating a custom folder for your new separate instance of Chrome and the path to that folder has some spaces, put the path in quotes "":

    Code:
    --user-data-dir="C:\Users\Me\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Chrome Work"
    If one is creating a shortcut to a separate instance of Chrome by using Right mouse click - New - Shortcut, location of the item should look something like this:

    Code:
    C:\Users\Me\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe --user-data-dir="C:\Users\Me\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Chrome Work"
    Thank you, johnywhy.
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  6. Posts : 2,774
    Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #16

    Also consider adding Session Manager to each Google Chrome. With session manager, you can "snapshot" the desired tabs, and whenever you want -- click Session Manager, click desired saved session, and it will ADD [**] those tabs to the tab line. Reason for mentioning this: with just two clicks, you can have what you want on the tab line.
    [**] However, you do have to close the unwanted tabs forced on you by ThePowersThatBe just before invoking a saved session from within Session Manager.
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