Hey guys just a quick sanity check question. I recently purchased a 2nd copy of Elite to have an "alt" to play for times like now where my main is tied up in a long expedition with friends. I just want to make sure the way I'm running it is not going to cause any problems with file corruptions. The 2nd account was bought direct through Frontier. The main was through Steam. I'm using my steam install and just logging to the other account once the launcher opens. Everything seems to work fine. I've noticed both accounts share the same settings files from graphic to controllers to even in game settings like filters on the Nav panel. I'm fine with that but things like that are what's prompting me to check here and make sure I'm not going to cause any problems doing it like this vs physically installing a second copy which I understand can also be done somehow.
running two accounts from one install
- Thread starter Flyinion
- Start date
I followed the instructions in https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/multiple-accounts.580343/#post-9258163 and I haven't regretted it. My main is from Steam, and I also have 2 alts, one from Frontier and one from Epic. It works brilliantly, not at the same time, of course.
Edit: I specially like that I can use separate 3rd party tools for each user.
Edit: I specially like that I can use separate 3rd party tools for each user.
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I’ve been doing this across three accounts for years. It works perfectly, never had an issue.
the way you're doing it, just logging in to a separate account from the steam's launcher is fine. You wont hurt anything.
You can also just copy the launcher folder and add it to steam with a customized name like "alt2" and not have to re-sign in each time ..just click on the one for the account associated. Launcher updates are rare so you wont have to manually update the copy all that often.
You can also just copy the launcher folder and add it to steam with a customized name like "alt2" and not have to re-sign in each time ..just click on the one for the account associated. Launcher updates are rare so you wont have to manually update the copy all that often.
Thanks for the input everyone. Sounds like I'm good to keep running it the way I am.
Cool yeah my main account is through Steam the new one is direct from Frontier so when I logout in the launcher I can choose either Login and put the info for the direct Frontier account in, or for my main account I just click Steam Login and it automatically logs in. I tried the Login button once for the Steam account and it didn't like that. I guess because the account was created through Steam after I bought the original Horizons key on Humble where you then go in and add the code to Steam.
Cool yeah my main account is through Steam the new one is direct from Frontier so when I logout in the launcher I can choose either Login and put the info for the direct Frontier account in, or for my main account I just click Steam Login and it automatically logs in. I tried the Login button once for the Steam account and it didn't like that. I guess because the account was created through Steam after I bought the original Horizons key on Humble where you then go in and add the code to Steam.
If you have an account that can be launched without going through steam, just make a copy of the EDLaunch.exe file, rename it, create a shortcut to it and that way you can launch either without having to log-out and log-in, validate etc etc. - I have several accounts, all but one can run from the launcher so they have their own shortcuts, the one that needs Steam has its own separate shortcut.
When there is a client update (not very often, as already stated) you just need to go through the copying and renaming.
When there is a client update (not very often, as already stated) you just need to go through the copying and renaming.
Can I do that if my install is through Steam? Also, the wrench there might be I also use VR. I know at least for my main account I have to actually launch the launcher from Steam itself and tell it "launch in VR mode" vs non VR play I have Elite pinned in the taskbar to the Steam icon and it just directly launches the launcher in normal mode. Wow that's confusing "launching the launcher" lol.
You can use the Steam install - you just have to find where the EDLaunch.exe file is in your steam library - copy that file, rename it, launch it (I use a shortcut on the desktop) do the log-in and validate code first time - thereafter that isn't needed as each version now opens its own launcher window.
I don't "do" VR so can't comment on that aspect.
EDIT - I just checked as I was going to do a screenshot of the directory and I remembered I stopped using a copy in the Steam library. I have a separate "normal" install with a couple of accounts running from that and I remember now that I received a steam gift of elite dangerous (needs to run from Steam) and that has its own install in a steam library. (My first Steam account can run without steam so I use the "normal" install for that.) - Sorry for any confusion, that is the problem with having too many accounts and over 7 years of fiddling. However, what I said above is still correct, you can just use a copy of the EDLaunch.exe file rather than log in and out all the time.