Thread: The Era of Portable Softwares

We are all so used to having to install a software before its used - right from windows to all the utility apps . But what is the necessity for installation ?

An installer is meant for the following purposes

- To make changes to OS related components like registry,system files and windows shell etc

- To create/copy/delete files on the end user's system

- To provide an easy to use interface to the end user to setup the s/w before its ready to use. ie check if all necessary files are present for the s/w to operate properly.


But this has created new problems,

- If you want to urgently use a particular s/w, u have to patiently install it and proceed..

- If lost windows and you didn't make any backup... ur in for a nightmare

- In many of the cases you have to re-configure it if the app does not support saving its configuration.

- Some of the installtions take forever to install (Adobe for one) and really test your patience...

- U can't run some of the apps from usb in this manner.


Solution :

The so called portable software.

Portable softwares are ones which require no installation and can be run by directly running the main executable.

Advantages :

- Users can run a particular softwares even without adminstrator priviliges which are required for installation.

- Since portable software are used on a need per basis u save a lot of time while reinstalling your OS.

- Can be run from usb as such so can be used anywhere/anytime.

- Keeps your system fast. Most of portable programs don't load @ startup so that should speed up the booting process.

- Generally all configuration are stored in the same folder as .ini files so even in case something goes wrong, it does not leave a mess in your registry. (Even the best of the softwares available today cannot clean the registry completely, if you ever try browsing your registry , u'll know what i mean )



Limitations :

As with all good things even portable softwares have certain limitations...

- A few appliactions can never be used as portables due to the way they work. Eg: Anti-virus since it needs to work in real time and since it needs exclusive access to the OS resources it cannot work in portable fashion.

- Usually paid apps are not available in this form to reduce piracy (Read M$ )
But many companies are begining to warm up to this idea an some others
have dedicated portable s/w's.



Appications :

Thinstall Virtualization Suite aka VMware ThinApp :

This's one of the 3rd party app which claims to be able to make many of your non-portable software. What it does is capture the files,registry entries which are created during a normail installation into a single exe or multiples exe's in case of softwares like Office Suite.


A Few Links :

PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives

Most of the apps used here are meant for USB but can be extracted to hdd for normal use.

Huge list of portable softwares ( Wikipedia )

Portable application ~~ Information

Sofware for U3 enabled USB's from Sandisk



Portable Softwares which i use regularly :

1. Opera
2. Firefox
3. Oscar [Subtitles]
4. M$ Office
5. Open Office
6. WinRAR Unplugged ( Occasionally )
7. Tuneup Utilites
8. SUMo (Keepin all s/w uptodate )
9. Nero

Nice post. I love portable softwares. Reduces lots of over heads on the part of end user. But as you mentioned about PIRACY. I'm sure the software companies are working on it and will come up with something.

You can also convert some software in to Portable.

I have converted these software to Portable.

1. CCleaner
2. Defraggler
3. DelAny
4. Moyea FLV Player
5. Recuva
6. Revo Uninstaller
7. Video Downloader
8. Ultimate Webshots Converter

Originally Posted by thats_me

Nice post. I love portable softwares. Reduces lots of over heads on the part of end user.

Thanks...

Originally Posted by Archer

You can convert some software in to Portable.

I have converted these software to Portable.

1. CCleaner
2. Defraggler
3. Recuva
4. Revo Uninstaller
5. Video Downloader
6. Ultimate Webshots Converter

Yea and some other s/w's and games can be used as portable, as such, by copying its files from program files folder.

Even the latest NFS seems to work without installation.

I extract the set-up .exe file, do modifications and convert it in to Silent SFX WinRAR file. Also I replace WinRAR default icons with icon from the program .exe as finishing touch.

Originally Posted by Archer

I extract the set-up .exe file, do modifications and convert it in to Silent SFX WinRAR file. Also I replace WinRAR default icons with icon from the program .exe as finishing touch.

Wow thats a pretty good idea. do you use universal extracter or any s/w to extract files from setup.

Universal Extractor for extracting .exe & Exe Icon Changer for replacing icons.

i installed MPlayer Portable how can i do like Media Player classic to shutdown windows after movie is finished.

Originally Posted by Archer

Universal Extractor for extracting .exe & Exe Icon Changer for replacing icons.

U can change the default icon from sfx options itself na..

Originally Posted by niceguysan

i installed MPlayer Portable how can i do like Media Player classic to shutdown windows after movie is finished.

U have to use a separate shutdown timer to turn off windows at the required time..

Originally Posted by newprouser

U can change the default icon from sfx options itself na..



U have to use a separate shutdown timer to turn off windows at the required time..

i dont want to run any extra application just to shut down i would then use Media Player Classic..

Originally Posted by niceguysan

i dont want to run any extra application just to shut down i would then use Media Player Classic..

Haven't tried that s/w man.. dunno if it has that option..

Originally Posted by newprouser

U can change the default icon from sfx options itself na..

Yes, but that option will only change the main (48 x 48 true color) icon. The quality of the icon will be low. Try out the two methods and you will understand.

Originally Posted by newprouser

Haven't tried that s/w man.. dunno if it has that option..

i thought you guys might be smart

Originally Posted by niceguysan

i thought you guys might be smart

:lol: and there are s/w's which I won't use even if I were paid for using it....

Originally Posted by powerdoc

Portable Browser, Office Viewer & Media Player is all I need.

Well if u have any other new portable s/w post them here