How to create an independent copy of an .exe file?

Question

Windows

For example, there is a file "Steam.exe". With it, I log into my account and can start any game - and this is only one account, and if I try to start another process through .bat or cmd, then nothing will work even if I copy this .exe.

So, is this possible?

Answer 1

Steam.exe checks if it is a copy of an already running process.
And if it is, then the file itself does not start completely, but simply transfers focus to the original, and immediately ends.
This is a restart protection built into the Steam.exe file itself.
This was done, firstly, for convenience, and secondly, against all sorts of "hackers" who want to wind up likes for themselves, make contact not on their own behalf for the sake of fraud, etc. Of course, this does not stop anyone seriously, but it puts a spoke in the wheel and discourages petty hooligans, so there are generally fewer of them.
So you need a virtual machine to run a copy of Steam.exe. For example, Virtual Box. In general, it will be necessary not only to copy the file, but to completely install a separate Steam on the virtual system.

Answer 2

It all depends on the file.
The first is settings that are suddenly stored either in the file system or in the registry.
Even renamed files will take them from one place.
The second is the restart mechanism. If the application sees that it is running, then it exits.
In general, the technique of running multiple instances is well suited for console utilities like ffmpeg

Answer 3

To do this, you need means of isolation. Under Linux, this is done by docker, under venda, there was some docker embryo that did not have a GUI and it seemed to have died. So it remains to run in a virtual machine.

Steam goes too deep into the OS, you just can't duplicate it. Moreover, having found many visits under one account, he will ban you for nothing.

Answer 4

How to create an independent copy of an .exe file?

Just copy.

and if I try to start another process through .bat or cmd, then nothing will work

Many programs control the restart, and do not allow it.
Therefore it is necessary to isolate processes. For example using virtualization.