diff --git a/cura/CuraApplication.py b/cura/CuraApplication.py
index 9d53fa2c1f..26b3e9c3f7 100755
--- a/cura/CuraApplication.py
+++ b/cura/CuraApplication.py
@@ -308,6 +308,9 @@ class CuraApplication(QtApplication):
 
         super().initialize()
 
+        self._preferences.addPreference("cura/single_instance", False)
+        self._use_single_instance = self._preferences.getValue("cura/single_instance")
+
         self.__sendCommandToSingleInstance()
         self._initializeSettingDefinitions()
         self._initializeSettingFunctions()
diff --git a/resources/qml/Preferences/GeneralPage.qml b/resources/qml/Preferences/GeneralPage.qml
index caf01b518c..e8de1b8fbe 100644
--- a/resources/qml/Preferences/GeneralPage.qml
+++ b/resources/qml/Preferences/GeneralPage.qml
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ UM.PreferencesPage
         var defaultTheme = UM.Preferences.getValue("general/theme")
         setDefaultTheme(defaultTheme)
 
+        UM.Preferences.resetPreference("cura/single_instance")
+        scaleToFitCheckbox.checked = boolCheck(UM.Preferences.getValue("cura/single_instance"))
+
         UM.Preferences.resetPreference("physics/automatic_push_free")
         pushFreeCheckbox.checked = boolCheck(UM.Preferences.getValue("physics/automatic_push_free"))
         UM.Preferences.resetPreference("physics/automatic_drop_down")
@@ -560,6 +563,21 @@ UM.PreferencesPage
                 text: catalog.i18nc("@label","Opening and saving files")
             }
 
+            UM.TooltipArea
+            {
+                width: childrenRect.width
+                height: childrenRect.height
+                text: catalog.i18nc("@info:tooltip","Should opening files from the desktop or external applications open in the same instance of Cura?")
+
+                CheckBox
+                {
+                    id: singleInstanceCheckbox
+                    text: catalog.i18nc("@option:check","Use a single instance of Cura")
+                    checked: boolCheck(UM.Preferences.getValue("cura/single_instance"))
+                    onCheckedChanged: UM.Preferences.setValue("cura/single_instance", checked)
+                }
+            }
+
             UM.TooltipArea
             {
                 width: childrenRect.width