在Windows上并排运行多个Claude Desktop实例，每个实例都有其 拥有自己的账户、MCP服务器和设置——尽管Claude作为 单实例 MSIX 应用。

只需点击一下。能通过自动更新。不会影响你的正常安装。

🛍️ 更喜欢带有图形界面和自动更新的一键应用？

这个仓库是DIY脚本路线。同一位作者发布了一个精致的、免费的应用 Microsoft商店 — 仪表盘、颜色编码实例、设置向导、实例更新器： Claude Desktop → Microsoft store的多实例

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为什么需要这个

Claude Desktop for Windows 作为 MSIX 包安装于 C:\Program Files\WindowsApps。如果你想听第二个，这会带来两个问题 示例：

1. **Windows阻止直接从WindowsApps启动.exe] （"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file"）。所以是捷径 直接指向打包的exe失败。
2. 该软件包设计为运行一个实例。即使是Electron的 --user-data-dir flag，你无法访问exe来传递它。

修复方法： 将Claude复制到外部的普通文件夹 WindowsApps

Claude Desktop Multi-Instance (Windows)

Run multiple Claude Desktop instances side by side on Windows, each with its own account, MCP servers, and settings — even though Claude ships as a single-instance MSIX app.

One click. Survives auto-updates. Doesn’t touch your normal install.

🛍️ Prefer a 1-click app with a GUI and automatic updates?

This repo is the DIY script route. The same author ships a polished, free app on the Microsoft Store — dashboard, color-coded instances, setup wizard, instance updater: Multi Instance for Claude Desktop → Microsoft Store

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Why this is needed

Claude Desktop for Windows installs as an MSIX package under C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. That causes two problems if you want a second instance:

1. Windows blocks launching the .exe directly from WindowsApps ("Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file"). So shortcuts pointing straight at the packaged exe fail.
2. The package is built to run one instance. Even with Electron’s --user-data-dir flag, you can’t reach the exe to pass it.

The fix: copy Claude to a normal folder outside WindowsApps (C:\ClaudePortable), where Windows allows direct launch, then create one shortcut per instance — each with its own --user-data-dir. Each instance gets a fully isolated profile: separate account, separate MCP servers, separate Cowork/settings.

This is the part most guides miss: on Windows the MSIX exe can’t be launched in place, so you have to run a portable copy. That’s exactly what install.ps1 does, and re-running it picks up Claude’s latest auto-update.

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Quick start

1. Download this repo (green Code button → Download ZIP, then extract). Or git clone https://github.com/radelqui/claude-desktop-multi.
2. Double-click INSTALL.cmd. It asks for Administrator (needed once, to read the protected WindowsApps folder) and sets up 2 extra instances.
3. On your Desktop you’ll now have Claude 2 and Claude 3 shortcuts.

Want a different number? Run from an admin PowerShell:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File scripts\install.ps1 -Instances 3

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Logging into different accounts (important!)

The first login of each new instance must be done one at a time, with the other Claude windows closed.

Why: Claude’s login opens your browser and returns to the app via a claude:// link. That link goes to whichever instance is currently open — so if several are open, the login lands on the wrong one and they all end up on the same account.

Do this:

1. Close all Claude Desktop windows (check the system tray ▲ near the clock).
2. Open only Claude 2 → log in (Google sign-in, or email + code — any method works) → finish the login.
3. Open Claude 3 → log in with a different account.