How-To: Run multiple instances of Google Talk

Ever since I started using Google Talk I’ve found myself wishing for multiple logins. Doing so would allow me to hide me real address from random strangers. Don’t worry, I consider all the UNEASY readers as friends. And yes. I’m a liar. This is yet another Google related post.

Here’s a simple little trick for running multiple instances of Google Talk. Until Google supports multiple account logins, this will have to do. If you have a desktop shortcut for Google Talk, right-click on the icon, go to ‘Properties’, and find the ‘Target’ field. Add /nomutex to the end of the target string. See the screenshot below. Hat tip to Ryan.

Click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ and the properties window will close. You can now run multiple copies of Google Talk allowing you to use all your Gmail / Google usernames. Find more Google Talk tweaks here.

Just in case anyone is interested, I learned that replacing bitmap 161 with a 1px by 1px image will remove the Google Talk logo. Use Reshacker. Ryan also pointed out that chatlogs are stored locally here: My Comp > C:\ > Documents and settings > [username] > local settings > application data > Google > GTalk > chatlogs