Windows 10 app multi-instance support

Windows 10 version 1803 brings multi-instance support for apps

Microsoft Store apps will support multiple instances starting with Windows 10 version 1803.

On Windows 10 version 1803, you’ll be able to run multiple instances of the same application at the same time. During a Windows Community Standup episode in Channel9, Microsoft explained that the Redstone 4 update will be introducing support running more than one instance of Microsoft Store apps.

While there are a number of apps, such as Microsoft Edge, OneNote, and other built-in apps that already support multiple instances, the new change will allow third-party apps to include the same capability.

As Thurrott.com reports, multiple instances of an app will run on its own separate process. This means that if an instance crashes, it’ll not affect the other instances.

Microsoft is also making it easy for developers to implement this feature into their Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, but it will require more work if it’s a complex app.

Although this should have been a feature from day one, it’s good to see Microsoft continuing to improve its new app platform. Just bear in mind that even though the multi-instance support will arrive with Windows 10 version 1803, developers still need to update their apps in order to start running multiple instances of the same app side-by-side.

What do you think about this new feature? Tell us in the comments.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].