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Wesley Pyburn edited this page Aug 24, 2024 · 27 revisions

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Welcome to the TcNo Account Switcher Wiki!

Looking for the FAQ for more info?

Before we get started

  • Your passwords are never collected
  • No account information is sent from this application Everything that is collected is stored locally unless shared by you, the user.
  • Your account information is safe (More info)
  • This application is completely open-source. You can compile it yourself if you don't trust the official Releases.
  • You can switch accounts regardless of your platform of choice running, or being closed at the time. Everything is automated.

What is this LoginCache folder?

The LoginCache folder is used for some platforms within the TcNo Account Switcher to store files that are swapped out on your computer, to swap accounts. These files can hold Tokens and other info telling the platform what account was "last logged in" when it is closed and reopened. The LoginCache folder also keeps a list of your accounts UserID's, Emails or whatever the platform of choice uses to differentiate your accounts. This is used for dragging & reordering your accounts. All easily user-customisable elements of the program are found in %AppData%\TcNo Account Switcher on your computer. You can change this by creating a userdata_path.txt file in the program's install directory, and simply enter a path for it to save user files.

Your account is safe

This program works by swapping files, registry keys, both, or sometimes just a single word in a file. It assumes platforms like Steam will remember who you are based on the "Last logged in the username" in a file, registry key or combination of the two. It works really well for the most part! Some platforms that use login tokens require these token files to be swapped with others to "swap accounts". While these files are sometimes copied to the TcNo Account Switcher's user data folder, they are never uploaded or shared by this software and remain entirely yours. Assuming your <UserData>\LoginCache folder isn't accessed from third-party software, you are safe. Would I want your accounts? No.

Your first launch

1. Installing required runtimes:

If you use the installer: The required runtimes will automatically be downloaded and installed. If you are NOT using the installer: Run _FIRST_RUN.exe on a computer to bring up the same window as in the installer, where runtimes are downloaded and installed. Manual runtime install:

2. Running the TcNo Account Switcher

Installer (Recommended):

  1. Head to Releases and download TcNo.Account.Switcher.Installer...exe (easiest)
  2. Run the installer, and the application should launch when done. If not: Head into the folder where you installed the program and run _FIRST_RUN.exe to make sure required runtimes are installed, and then run TcNo-Acc-Switcher.exe to run the main program. The second is what shortcuts to the program should point to.

Portable (eg. for USB):

  1. Head to Releases and download the .7z or .zip (They are the same, but 7-Zip is needed to unzip the .7z file). These are portable, assuming the computer you plug a USB with files on into has the required runtimes installed. User accounts are not "copied" between computers, as these are in your %AppData% folder.
  2. Extract ALL files into a new folder. Make sure it's in a place you won't delete it. (Moving it is fine, but will break shortcuts on your Desktop and Start Menu, as well as starting with Windows)
  3. Run _FIRST_RUN.exe to make sure required runtimes are installed [Only once per computer. Running more does nothing]
  4. Start TcNo-Acc-Switcher.exe

Swapping accounts

Swapping an account:

  1. Select a platform from the list of platforms, such as Steam.
  2. Double-click an account, or select an account and click Login, or Right-Click and choose "Swap to account".
  3. The platform you chose will now exit, swap the "Last logged in" files and then restart, logging you into your chosen account.
  4. Some platforms may require you to click "Save" and "Add" to add accounts to the account switcher, and sign into new accounts in the platform before being able to switch in the TcNo Account Switcher. More details below.
  5. Clicking the settings button will let you reset settings or profile pictures, start platforms as Administrator (launches as a normal user by default), refresh profile images, VAC status, turn on the Tray icon and way more.

Adding accounts to the list (when required):

Some platforms work differently from others. Steam and BattleNet switchers will detect accounts and populate the list. The Origin and Ubisoft account switchers need you to click "Save Current" to add the account you're logged into to the list. For all platforms: To add another account, click "Add New" instead of logging out in the platform! For example: Adding a new account to the Steam switcher: Find more info on the platforms wiki page - See the list of Wiki pages on the right -->

Removing accounts from the list:

Some platforms work differently from others. Steam and BattleNet let you forget accounts and restore them later from the Settings screen. Forgetting accounts doesn't change your actual account at all, it just stops the Account Switcher showing it on the list. The Steam account switcher removes it from loginusers.vdf, meaning you can no longer switch to it in Big Picture mode (for example) until you sign into it again.

Advanced usage

Shortcuts

You can swap accounts through the shortcuts. Right-click any account in the account switcher and click 'Create Desktop Shortcut' to create a shortcut, that when double-clicked simply swaps to that account, with no gui. Super quick. This utilises the CLI...

CLI (Command Line Interface)

The shortcut utilises the CLI. The CLI is just the normal program, running in command line mode. Run TcNo-Acc-Switcher.exe with --help for example. This will display all the available commands and some more info. Still confused? Open a new file browser and navigate to the TcNo Account Switcher's install directory, click the top where the folder location is and type "CMD". Hit enter, then enter: TcNo-Acc-Switcher.exe --help and see what happens. Congratulations, you've now used your first CLI.

Tray icon

You can add TcNo Account Switcher to the Windows Tray, meaning it'll always be there for you to start and close it whenever you need it. The Windows Tray is located at the bottom right of your Windows Start Bar. You can now switch to the last accounts you've switched to with TcNo Account Switcher (3 by default) - for each platform.

This is where the program will start if you choose "Start with Windows". And it will start automatically if you choose to "Minimize to Tray" in the Settings screen.