Can you elaborate on this step please. So just make shortcut then use that every time I need to log in? As long as I close handle on Process explorer

This is your answer.

didnt work for me - prob user error. but having only one copy with 3 shortcuts and following the step, the second loader said 'playing now'

Method is currently working for me right now. After you load the first game open Process Explorer and close the "Check for other instances" handle under D2R. Then the second copy should load up.

same here. shows playing now if I use same launcher from the first folder

Where does it say playing now? On the launcher? It should skip that step and directly load the game.

You're making a shortcut from the D2R exe and not the launcher right?

Yes on the launcher. If I use the d2r exe it boots up the game but then would get error saying cannot connect to server because I actually didnt type in any email or password. how would I log in without the launcher then?

There's your problem for now. That's what the -username and -password part of the target line does. It logs in using what you put there and bypasses the launcher step.

I heard MacBooks were superior for gaming, this confirms it ty

Maybe look through this, same thing but a different explanation and a couple pictures. Post #21 is also informative for the region portion. Use "address" instead of "realm" in the target line.

https://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=102553231