VS Code Multiple Profile Setup Guide

A guide to set up separate VS Code installations with different GitHub accounts on Windows (like work vs personal accounts, for example).

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Prerequisites
• Step-by-Step Setup
• Creating Custom Icons
• Adding Context Menu Entries
• Testing Your Setup
• Troubleshooting
• Removing the Setup

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Overview

This setup allows you to:

• Have completely separate VS Code environments (Work & Personal)
• Use different GitHub accounts for each profile
• Launch profiles from desktop shortcuts or right-click context menu
• Keep extensions, settings, and logins independent

What gets separated:

• GitHub account authentication
• Installed extensions
• Editor settings
• Themes and UI customization
• Workspace history

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Prerequisites

• Windows 10/11
• VS Code already installed
• Administrator access
• PowerShell

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Step-by-Step Setup

1. Create Profile Directories

Open PowerShell and run:

# Create the main directory
mkdir C:\vscode

# Create work profile directory structure
mkdir C:\vscode\work\data

# Create personal profile directory structure
mkdir C:\vscode\personal\data

2. Copy Your Existing Configuration

Copy your current VS Code settings to both new profiles:

# Copy to work profile
xcopy "C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Code" "C:\vscode\work\data" /E /I /H

# Copy to personal profile
xcopy "C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Code" "C:\vscode\personal\data" /E /I /H

Replace YOUR_USERNAME with your actual Windows username.

3. Create Launch Scripts

Create two batch files in C:\vscode\:

File: C:\vscode\vscode-work.bat

@echo off
code --user-data-dir "C:\vscode\work\data" %*

File: C:\vscode\vscode-personal.bat

@echo off
code --user-data-dir "C:\vscode\personal\data" %*

How to create:

1. Open Notepad
2. Paste the content
3. File → Save As
4. Change "Save as type" to All Files
5. Save with .bat extension

4. Create Desktop Shortcuts

For Work Profile:

1. Right-click Desktop → New → Shortcut
2. Location: C:\vscode\vscode-work.bat
3. Name: VS Code - Work
4. Finish

For Personal Profile:

1. Right-click Desktop → New → Shortcut
2. Location: C:\vscode\vscode-personal.bat
3. Name: VS Code - Personal
4. Finish

5. Customize Shortcut Icons (Optional)

Using VS Code default icon:

1. Right-click shortcut → Properties
2. Click Change Icon
3. Browse to: C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe
4. Select icon → OK

Using custom icons:

1. Place your .ico files in C:\vscode\
2. Right-click shortcut → Properties
3. Click Change Icon
4. Browse to your .ico file
5. OK

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Creating Custom Icons

Getting Official VS Code Icons

Download official VS Code icons in PNG format:

• Visit: https://code.visualstudio.com/brand
• Microsoft provides the official VS Code logo and brand assets

Converting PNG to ICO

Online Converter (Easiest)

1. Go to any conversion website
2. Upload your PNG file
3. Convert to ico extensio and download it

Example Icon Locations

C:\vscode\vscode.ico          (Work icon - e.g., official stable icon)
C:\vscode\vscode-alt.ico      (Personal icon - e.g., insiders icon or custom)

Tip: Use the official VS Code stable icon for one profile and the Insiders icon (or a custom color variation) for the other to easily distinguish them visually!

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Adding Context Menu Entries

This adds "Open with VS Code - Work/Personal" to right-click menus.

IMPORTANT: Find Your VS Code Installation Path First

VS Code can be installed in two different locations. You need to find which one you have:

Run this in PowerShell:

Get-Command code | Select-Object Source

This will show you where VS Code is installed. Common locations:

• User Install: C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe
• System Install: C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe

Note the path - you'll need it for the registry entries below!

Method: Using PowerShell Commands

Run PowerShell as Administrator.

First, find your VS Code path:

Get-Command code | Select-Object Source

Then use the appropriate commands below:

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If VS Code is in AppData\Local (User Install):

# Create HKCR drive
New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

# Replace YOUR_USERNAME with your actual Windows username
$vscPath = "C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe"

# Work Profile - Folder
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "(Default)" -Value "Open with VS Code - Work"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode.ico"
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$vscPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\work\data`" `"%1`""

# Personal Profile - Folder
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "(Default)" -Value "Open with VS Code - Personal"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode-alt.ico"
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$vscPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\personal\data`" `"%1`""

# Work Profile - Background
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "(Default)" -Value "Open with VS Code - Work"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode.ico"
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$vscPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\work\data`" `"%V`""

# Personal Profile - Background
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "(Default)" -Value "Open with VS Code - Personal"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode-alt.ico"
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$vscPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\personal\data`" `"%V`""

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If VS Code is in Program Files (System Install):

# Create HKCR drive
New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

$vscPath = "C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe"

# Work Profile - Folder
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "(Default)" -Value "Open with VS Code - Work"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode.ico"
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$vscPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\work\data`" `"%1`""

# Personal Profile - Folder
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "(Default)" -Value "Open with VS Code - Personal"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode-alt.ico"
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$vscPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\personal\data`" `"%1`""

# Work Profile - Background
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "(Default)" -Value "Open with VS Code - Work"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode.ico"
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$vscPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\work\data`" `"%V`""

# Personal Profile - Background
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "(Default)" -Value "Open with VS Code - Personal"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode-alt.ico"
New-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$vscPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\personal\data`" `"%V`""

Updating Icons After Setup

If you want to change icons later:

PowerShell (as Administrator):

New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode.ico"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode.ico"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode-alt.ico"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Name "Icon" -Value "C:\vscode\vscode-alt.ico"

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Testing Your Setup

1. Test Desktop Shortcuts

• Double-click VS Code - Work shortcut
• VS Code should open
• Sign in with your work GitHub account
• Close VS Code
• Double-click VS Code - Personal shortcut
• Sign in with your personal GitHub account

2. Test Context Menu

• Right-click any folder
• You should see:
  • Open with VS Code - Work
  • Open with VS Code - Personal
• Click one to test

3. Verify Separation

• Open both profiles simultaneously
• Check GitHub account in each (click account icon, bottom-left)
• They should show different accounts

4. Verify Profile Paths

In each VS Code window:

• Go to Help → About
• Check "User data directory"
• Should show C:\vscode\work\data or C:\vscode\personal\data

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Troubleshooting

Context Menu Not Appearing

Solution 1: Refresh File Explorer

• Press F5 in File Explorer
• Or close and reopen File Explorer

Solution 2: Verify Registry Entries

PowerShell:

New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Test-Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork"
Test-Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal"

Both should return True.

Solution 3: Check VS Code Installation Path

If VS Code is installed elsewhere, update the path:

Get-Command code | Select-Object Source

Then update the registry entries with the correct path.

Context Menu Appears But Doesn't Work

This is usually because VS Code is installed in a different location than the registry expects.

Diagnose the issue:

# Check where VS Code is actually installed
Get-Command code | Select-Object Source

# Check what the registry has
New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Get-ItemProperty "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork\command" | Select-Object '(default)'

Common VS Code locations:

• User Install: C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe
• System Install: C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe

Fix:

Once you know the correct path, update the registry entries:

New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

# Replace with YOUR actual VS Code path
$correctPath = "C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe"

# Update all four entries
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$correctPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\work\data`" `"%1`""
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$correctPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\personal\data`" `"%1`""
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$correctPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\work\data`" `"%V`""
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal\command" -Name "(Default)" -Value "`"$correctPath`" --user-data-dir `"C:\vscode\personal\data`" `"%V`""

Or recreate the .reg file with the correct path (see the Adding Context Menu Entries section).

Icons Not Showing

Check:

1. Icon files exist at specified paths
2. Files have .ico extension
3. File paths in registry match actual locations
4. Refresh File Explorer (F5)

"Access Denied" Error

Solution:

• Run PowerShell as Administrator
• Win+X → Terminal (Admin)

GitHub Account Not Staying Logged In

Solution:

1. Sign out from both profiles
2. Open Work profile → Sign in with work account
3. Close completely
4. Open Personal profile → Sign in with personal account
5. Each profile stores credentials independently

Original "Open with Code" Still Uses Old Account

This is normal!

• The default context menu still uses C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Code
• Use your new custom menu entries instead
• Or sign into the original with a different account

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Removing the Setup

Remove Context Menu Entries

Using PowerShell (as Admin):

New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Remove-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodeWork" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "HKCR:\Directory\Background\shell\VSCodePersonal" -Recurse -Force

Remove Profile Directories

PowerShell:

Remove-Item -Path "C:\vscode" -Recurse -Force

Remove Desktop Shortcuts

Simply delete the shortcuts from your desktop.

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Example File Structure Summary

C:\vscode\
├── work\
│   └── data\           (Work profile data)
├── personal\
│   └── data\           (Personal profile data)
├── vscode.ico          (Work icon - optional)
├── vscode-alt.ico      (Personal icon - optional)
├── vscode-work.bat     (Work launcher)
└── vscode-personal.bat (Personal launcher)

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Quick Reference Commands

Verify Setup

# Check if profiles exist
Test-Path "C:\vscode\work\data"
Test-Path "C:\vscode\personal\data"

# Check registry entries
New-PSDrive -Name HKCR -PSProvider Registry -Root HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Test-Path "HKCR:\Directory\shell\VSCodeWork"

Launch from Command Line

# Work profile
C:\vscode\vscode-work.bat "C:\Projects\WorkProject"

# Personal profile
C:\vscode\vscode-personal.bat "C:\Projects\PersonalProject"

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Additional Resources

• VS Code Profiles Documentation
• Managing Multiple GitHub Accounts with SSH
• VS Code Command Line Interface

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Note: This guide assumes VS Code is installed in one of these common locations:

• User Install: C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Programs\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe
• System Install: C:\Program Files\Microsoft VS Code\Code.exe

If your installation is elsewhere, adjust the paths accordingly. Use Get-Command code | Select-Object Source in PowerShell to find your VS Code installation path.