Multiple ED installs

[Bikky]

After seeing a few posts about running Multiple ED accounts (some simultaneously) in windows, and mentioning to a couple of people how to do it, I've been asked for a quick writeup.

You could keep logging in and out of ED launcher. However this is the way I've done it.

1. Install/setup ED etc under main windows aco
2. Create a new windows account for each additional ED account, give them passwords or step 5 doesn't work. You'll need to log in once to create profile path.
3. Copy ED folder to new location (may not have to, but in early ED days you needed this)
4. Create a new shortcut for each lanuncher.... Edit the shortcut properties make the target look like this.
c:\windows\system32\runas /user:<windowsuser> /savecred "<Drive:\programpath\program.exe>"
5. First run of this will open a CMD/DOS box and ask for the credentials. Enter your password, now you're sorted for this stage.
6. Copy your keybinds from c:\windows\users\<main Win acct>\appdata\local\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous\Options\Bindings" to the new user account location

Stage 1 complete.

Now for EDMC
setup as step 1, including plugins
Create a new shortcut as step 4 above. This references the executing account's folders

Now for VA
If using only VA and no HCS voicepacks ignore this bit.
If using HCS packs... setup as step 1
create a new shortcut as step 4. (HCS uses launching account local folders to detect game state, so if acct 1 logged out while in SC, then ED acct 2 won't launch as HCS detects SC state of ED account 1)

If running ED Discovery, you can add multiple ED accounts no issues and point each ED account to it's own log file location, and select them from the drop down to view.

If running ED Engineer, it looks in default log location. To then view your other CMDR's, click at the very bottom, where the Log path location is and change the user name folder to the account you're flying.

*if you update keybinds, you'll need to copy from edited path to other win account locations.
**If you update plugins/programs etc for VA/EDMC, you'll need to do it under your main account.
*** HCS profiles need to be re-imported for each win account launcher. However the plugins etc only need installing once.
**** this also allows you to launch multiple copies, I've managed 3 at once (one on each monitor). Load the launcher, and start the game, Set to borderless/windowed and appropriate resolution and place in desired monitor position. Windows key/task bar back to the launcher and close (keeping game running). Then launch 2nd cmdr launcher, launch game, set windowd/borderless and position. NOTE ED Discovery will work, as will ED Engineer fine, as it's tracking a specified folder. EDMC will need to be launched for each ED account, this works too. VA, I've never tried to run more than one instance, but in theory, you can launch multiple, and mute the one you don't want to interact with at that moment, or have 1 voice pack for each ED instance... This ED launching though will allow you to take multiple ships to hutton orbital at the same time, or out exploring together etc. And to easily cargo dump money from your first wealthy account, into a new account to get it into a bigger ship quicker.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

unless you plan to run multiple accounts at once you can just make a copy of the launcher (not a shortcut). They will remember which account you're logged into so you just have 1 launcher for every account and one copy of the game.

Just remember to make a new copy if the launcher is updated.

 

[Dommarraa]

unless you plan to run multiple accounts at once you can just make a copy of the launcher (not a shortcut). They will remember which account you're logged into so you just have 1 launcher for every account and one copy of the game.

Just remember to make a new copy if the launcher is updated.

Using this method, you can run multiple accounts at the same time. Just close the launcher once the game is running and start the other

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Using this method, you can run multiple accounts at the same time. Just close the launcher once the game is running and start the other

oh cool! I didn't know if the launcher needs to run while the game is running.

Now I need that Canon Lake 8 core processor.

 

[biohazard15]

I use this method for my three accounts, and it works flawlessly. However, there are some things to note:

- You need a good amount of RAM to run two or more accounts. I recommend at least 12 GB for two accounts (can run three, but only on minimal settings)
- You may need to lower your settings, especially if you have older GPU. I have GTX Titan, and it can run two accounts on good settings or three accounts on minimal settings.
- When using your other accounts for multicrew, disable all sounds for them (otherwise you'll get a cacophony due to bad synchronization)
- DO NOT attempt to use several accounts in Open or large PGs like Mobius unless you have a really good network connection! And even then, you WILL get instancing problems. The best way is to create your own PG.

 

[Bikky]

oh cool! I didn't know if the launcher needs to run while the game is running.

Now I need that Canon Lake 8 core processor.

I use this method for my three accounts, and it works flawlessly. However, there are some things to note:

- You need a good amount of RAM to run two or more accounts. I recommend at least 12 GB for two accounts (can run three, but only on minimal settings)
- You may need to lower your settings, especially if you have older GPU. I have GTX Titan, and it can run two accounts on good settings or three accounts on minimal settings.
- When using your other accounts for multicrew, disable all sounds for them (otherwise you'll get a cacophony due to bad synchronization)
- DO NOT attempt to use several accounts in Open or large PGs like Mobius unless you have a really good network connection! And even then, you WILL get instancing problems. The best way is to create your own PG.

I ran 3 instances at 1080p on an i7 2600k 3.4ghz (6 year old processor) 16gig ram, but only peaked at just over 12gb used, and a 4gb gtx 960..... With teamspeak discord, edtracker, chrome, ed discovery, edmc all running.


However this is more for those addons, like hcs voice packs that use the game state logs, and when you wish to keep logs separate, for ed engineer, which won't differentiate, and bundle all mats into the same storage info.

 

[Jankules]

I ran 3 instances at 1080p on an i7 2600k 3.4ghz (6 year old processor) 16gig ram, but only peaked at just over 12gb used, and a 4gb gtx 960..... With teamspeak discord, edtracker, chrome, ed discovery, edmc all running.


However this is more for those addons, like hcs voice packs that use the game state logs, and when you wish to keep logs separate, for ed engineer, which won't differentiate, and bundle all mats into the same storage info.

You have framerates below 30,do you?For 3 accounts on same pc 16 gb ram and 8GB Grapchic card needed,I5 is sufficient.2 multicrew accouts idle at low graphic settings, and the main at ultra.

 

[Jankules]

Can any1 post solution how to seperate in game settings save(option) file for each account seperatly?

Edited didnt saw original post!Thank You OP.

 

[biohazard15]

Can any1 post solution how to seperate in game settings save(option) file for each account seperatly?

In case of aforementioned solution, settings and other client data are stored separately, inside its own Windows user account folder.
If that was what you wanted...

 

[Jankules]

In case of aforementioned solution, settings and other client data are stored separately, inside its own Windows user account folder.
If that was what you wanted...

Thank You!

 

[biohazard15]

I ran 3 instances at 1080p on an i7 2600k 3.4ghz (6 year old processor) 16gig ram, but only peaked at just over 12gb used, and a 4gb gtx 960..... With teamspeak discord, edtracker, chrome, ed discovery, edmc all running.


However this is more for those addons, like hcs voice packs that use the game state logs, and when you wish to keep logs separate, for ed engineer, which won't differentiate, and bundle all mats into the same storage info.

You have framerates below 30,do you?For 3 accounts on same pc 16 gb ram and 8GB Grapchic card needed,I5 is sufficient.2 multicrew accouts idle at low graphic settings, and the main at ultra.

I run it on i7-980X (7yo CPU), and it works just fine. The main bottlenecks are GPU and RAM. Networking also plays a huge role - that's why I recommend using your own PG, and not Open or Mobius. Sometimes you get lags just because there is several people in the current instance - FD's netcode isn't designed for multiboxing (FD's stance on it is somewhat neutral - it's not prohibited to run several accounts simultaneously on one PC, but they do not offer any support and do not optimise the netcode for it)

 

[Jpotter]

- When using your other accounts for multicrew, disable all sounds for them (otherwise you'll get a cacophony due to bad synchronization)

So am I correct you use dummy multicrew accounts to get around the extra 'pip' meant to be for only true multiplayer?

 

[biohazard15]

So am I correct you use dummy multicrew accounts to get around the extra 'pip' meant to be for only true multiplayer?

Precisely. And before you say this - no, FD does not prohibit it. And why should they? Every additional account means more money for them.

 

[Jpotter]

Precisely. And before you say this - no, FD does not prohibit it. And why should they? Every additional account means more money for them.

They shouldn't allow it because it's 1) pay to win, by definition. 2) not everyone can do it 3) It's just b s that surely wasn't meant to happen (hear of not in the spirit of the rule?)

You might as well be using keybind/scripts for your PIPs (which Isn't allowed). The point was to encourage MULTI-player, not single players buying multiple accounts to get access to extra power actual players can't get unless the BUY another account. Why not just use actual mulitplayer then rather than a dummy account?

They state it is allowed - could you reference that? Because I was going to ask them since I knew from when they dropped this into game people will take advantage because they have to get an edge (but not in reference to you specifically, but everyone that does it - it is just so very lame and the extra PIP should never have been a thing since people will be people and don't care as long as the advantage is theirs).

 

[Newt Loranas]

They shouldn't allow it because it's 1) pay to win, by definition. 2) not everyone can do it 3) It's just b s that surely wasn't meant to happen (hear of not in the spirit of the rule?)

You might as well be using keybind/scripts for your PIPs (which Isn't allowed). The point was to encourage MULTI-player, not single players buying multiple accounts to get access to extra power actual players can't get unless the BUY another account. Why not just use actual mulitplayer then rather than a dummy account?

They state it is allowed - could you reference that? Because I was going to ask them since I knew from when they dropped this into game people will take advantage because they have to get an edge (but not in reference to you specifically, but everyone that does it - it is just so very lame and the extra PIP should never have been a thing since people will be people and don't care as long as the advantage is theirs).

Oh it's a very minor thing. Not all ships are multi-crew anyway and one pip while nice doesn't add up to that much. One extra pip in no way equates to "win". They are in fact earning half the money for each account in exchange for that pip as mission and bounties would be shared between the two accounts meaning they have to work twice as long ( minus the small sliver of advantage from said pip ) Secondly, unless you're a die hard PVP then how often would someone having that extra pip affect you in any way at all?

 

[Schmack]

I use this method for my three accounts, and it works flawlessly. However, there are some things to note:

- You need a good amount of RAM to run two or more accounts. I recommend at least 12 GB for two accounts (can run three, but only on minimal settings)
- You may need to lower your settings, especially if you have older GPU. I have GTX Titan, and it can run two accounts on good settings or three accounts on minimal settings.
- When using your other accounts for multicrew, disable all sounds for them (otherwise you'll get a cacophony due to bad synchronization)
- DO NOT attempt to use several accounts in Open or large PGs like Mobius unless you have a really good network connection! And even then, you WILL get instancing problems. The best way is to create your own PG.

Even creating your own PG doesn't work so well when you're running two accounts. Tried it yesterday with a friend here and he kept getting disconnected.

 

[biohazard15]

They shouldn't allow it because it's 1) pay to win, by definition. 2) not everyone can do it 3) It's just b s that surely wasn't meant to happen (hear of not in the spirit of the rule?)

You might as well be using keybind/scripts for your PIPs (which Isn't allowed). The point was to encourage MULTI-player, not single players buying multiple accounts to get access to extra power actual players can't get unless the BUY another account. Why not just use actual mulitplayer then rather than a dummy account?

They state it is allowed - could you reference that? Because I was going to ask them since I knew from when they dropped this into game people will take advantage because they have to get an edge (but not in reference to you specifically, but everyone that does it - it is just so very lame and the extra PIP should never have been a thing since people will be people and don't care as long as the advantage is theirs).

It was asked around the time multicrew arrived, and FD (probably Sandro or Brett, I don't remember who exactly) answered that if someone wishes to purchase additional account(s) to use as "pip boy" (heh, nice term!), they will not forbid it or ban the person who did it, but they won't offer any tech support if you encounter any problem. Probably because one or two additional pips doesn't mean much.

Running multiple accounts was a part of the game from the very start - many players has purchased additional accs during various Steam sales for relatives who want to play ED, to use them as storage (deprecated after commodities were removed from blueprints), explorers or simply trying to "live another life". Being able to run them simultaneously was also the part of the game - either on multiple PCs or one PC that is powerful enough (they can not and will not enforce "one account, one PC and\or IP" rule). Being able to use them as "pip boys" is just a small unexpected bonus.

 

[Thomas Hogarth]

With the low price now I picked up a second account for exploration.

Also Planet coaster because it was rediculously cheep.

 

[ilmostro]

Thanks OP - now I have 3 accounts - I'll have to try this out.

 

[Bikky]

You have framerates below 30,do you?For 3 accounts on same pc 16 gb ram and 8GB Grapchic card needed,I5 is sufficient.2 multicrew accouts idle at low graphic settings, and the main at ultra.

Nope.... The active window was running approx 40fps on planet surface. The main issue is trying to run more than 1 account on planet surface. With a 6gb or more gfx card it'll probably be fine.

They shouldn't allow it because it's 1) pay to win, by definition. 2) not everyone can do it 3) It's just b s that surely wasn't meant to happen (hear of not in the spirit of the rule?)

You might as well be using keybind/scripts for your PIPs (which Isn't allowed).

ah now you see. You're assuming in a cheater.... I was doing this before multi crew was a thing. And also never been in multi crew... It was actually to see if I could do it. But running two accounts, one out exploring and one trading is easy going. All of my CMDRs work in role play, so I've even had them talk to each other.

As for using scripts etc for pip management, voice attack is just that. Have a combat mode which sets pips one way, and run away sets pips another. What isn't allowed is things like scripts to sit and collect power play merits overnight. You have to be at the console and actively playing.