Windows 10: QUESTION: Efficacy of Running Portable Apps on Internal Hard Drive ?

No, please do install portable apps if you want to. I have about 20 I use but don't want to install permanently on the system

 

Howdy, slicendice:

From your perspective... what would be the BIG ADVANTAGE to running Google Chrome as a portable in your opinion... with the caveat that I want to make the following PRIVACY settings?

command line switches
* --disable-background-networking
* --disable-component-extensions-with-background-pages
* --dns-prefetch-disable
* --no-pings
* --disable-logging
SOURCE | malwaretips.com/threads/google-chrome-iridium-dragon-and-iron-browsers.74381

disabled the following options:
* Suggestions for navigation errors
* Address bar suggestions
* DNS pre-fetching
* Phishing and malware protection
* Usage statistics and crash reports
* I've also disabled the GoogleUpdater
SOURCE | https://superuser.com/questions/1711...s-iron-privacy |

THX. ~ Alan

 

Advantages:

• The biggest advantage is that it does not mess with your Windows registry.
• Another advantage is that you can move it around.
• Third advantage is that you can take it with you and does not require any network syncing services to keep your bookmarks and settings up to date (since it's the only copy of the app you use)
• Fourth advantage is that it can be easily backed up and restored in case of total system failure or portable app corruption.
• Final advantage is that it won't use any computer resources other than the HDD space taken while it is not in use.

There are probably even more advantages, and there are probably many disadvantages too, but I can't think of any right now.

 

Hello, slicendice:

You sure some excellent advantages.

I would like to read more about advantages and disadvantages.

Do you have some sources that you might refer me to?

THX. ~ Alan

 

Thanks!

I am sorry, I don't have any direct link to reliable sources that talk about advantages and disadvantages. But you should take a look at this site where you can find tons of information: Home of PortableApps.com

I would however want to add one disadvantege to the list of pros and cons: Some apps might need a driver or service installed. With portable apps this might not always be possible, especially if we are talking about true portable apps. Because of this missing driver or service, some portable apps will be somewhat limited. Usually these apps are however huge applications that has been designed to be installed on a system in the first place. Example: Photoshop needs some services to being able to work with RAW images. Since this service is missing in a portable version, you can not work with RAW images when using portable apps.

 

Hi Alan, I dont have any good sources for you to read but an advantage I find of using Portable apps is how easy is to get rid of the program when you dont want it anymore, you just delete the installation folder and that's it. You don't have to look in AppData or anywhere else for folders of the program. I dont install many programs to keep the system intact, to avoid changes and thats something you get by using portable versions of your favorite programs. I adopted the portable versions of Libre Office, Foxit PDF Reader and CCleaner. The place where you want to go to get your portable apps is portableapps.com (link posted by slicendice), nice clean site.

Bo

 

Howdy, Bo Elam:

Appreciate your post.

I have the same thoughts in regards to the potential practicalities as yourself and slicendice... however I wanted to confirm if my understanding is correct... or determine what has changed in regards to the efficacy of using PORTABLE APPS for internal drive purposes... beyond USB portability.

Over the years I have become a competent and UNINSTALLING softwares well beyond the native Windows Uninstaller capabilities.

Maybe some Forum Members can benefit from this...

I use the following now to perform clean uninstals (without creating secondary problems):

1. I start with using Advanced SystemCare 11 PRO Uninstaller

Next I use to dedicated (and safe) registry cleaners to remove the balance of ORPHAN reg lines that Iobit does not clean out:
2. Registrar Registry Manager
3. RegSeeker
4. Next: (Search) Everything to remove all APP FILES from the disk.

Now I have a clean UNINSTALL.

Next I will use:
5. CCleaner Free for 1st stage orphan cleaning...
6. Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete - UTILITY for 2nd stage orphan cleaning...
7. Next: Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete - One Care - 3 stage disk cleaning.

Now I virtually have a NEW computer operating at MAX performance (not including Windows tweaks).

I hope this proves helpful!

In the meantime... I'll be exploring PortableApps.com.

THX. ~ Alan


P.S. I have no affiliation with any of the above mentioned software companies... I've just been using each of them for years now and have confidence in them.

 

Hi there

I run a very large number of portable apps on my D Drive..
1) Obviously Antivirus, Firewall and resource draining programs such as Photoshop need to be installed as normal on C Drive.
2) I'm sick though of installing a huge number of programs on C Drive especially when i have to reformat and reinstall Windows.
3) A large number of Portable Apps can be installed in just a few minutes via Copy and Paste.
4) My portable apps are mostly made up of those I don't use regularly ie Burning Software, Video or Audio Converters, Wave Editors, Bulk Name Renamers, File Unlockers, PDF Readers, LibreOffice, YouTube Downloaders etc etc
5) You can make your own portable apps with Cameyo. Google it. It's OK for making portable apps out of simple programs.

I can't recommend portable apps enough.

Billy

 

Hi Alan, I also like to keep my system clean but I do it differently than how you do it. I avoid installing programs in the real system. When I get a new computer, I only install programs (portable or regular) I use on a daily basis and dont install anything else or remove anything unless there's a problem or a conflict between programs, which is rare for me. For example, I bought my W10 last July 8th, by the 10th, I had installed the few programs I use on a regular basis and haven't changed anything since. The only programs I have uninstalled in this computer are the ones that came with the computer. My computers are clean of debris. I dont install antiviruses, scanners, nothing, that litters the system. I keep the computers static.

When I want to try or test something, I install the program in their own sandbox (Sandboxie), and keep the installation for as long as I want it. Sometimes I keep the installation for a few hours or weeks, depends on what I want. This is not portable but the end result works out about the same. When you install a program in a sandbox, the installation diesnt touch the system, files, registry.. When you want to get rid of the installation, you just delete the sandbox, no need to uninstall anything.. Right this moment I have Irfan view, DL Now and Flash installed in their own sandbox. I am using this programs like if they were in my system but their installation don't touch anything in the system. No debris.

Bo

 

Hi there

main reason portable apps were invented (not the only reason but a primary driver) was to install things on locked down computers and another reason was to get round program licenses / activation codes - a typical one being the use of Photoshop as a portable app.

Most of these apps contain "dubious" code --- doesn't necessarily mean malware but to get these to run outside the normal "gambit" of Windows they have to do all sorts of tricks which may or may not bypass standard OS protection -- so you are opening up yourself to a lot of potential problems plus running unauthorised software on locked down computers is another possible source of big trouble for the user.

Personally if I need an application - what's wrong with running it windows -- alternatively run it on a VM if you want to test it or even as some do on a "Sandbox" -- although I prefer the idea of a VM -- users choice though.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Try Geek Uninstaller and let me know, if it performs better. *Wink

There will be present, but not "installed". If you want to use them, you have to register them or select to open desired file types to open it with, so in the end it might take even longer. I backup ini/reg entries of installed software and upon reinstall, I just apply them and all settings are done, like: Code: reg add "HKCU\Software\XnView" /v "UseRegistry" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "1" /f reg add "HKCU\Software\XnView\Browser" /v "ShowToolTips" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "0" /f reg add "HKCU\Software\XnView\Browser" /v "StartupDirectory" /t "REG_SZ" /d "%UserProfile%\Desktop" /f reg add "HKCU\Software\XnView\Browser" /v "StartupIn" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "2" /f reg add "HKCU\Software\XnView\Start" /v "OnlyOneInstance" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "1" /f reg add "HKCU\Software\XnView\Start" /v "PathSave" /t "REG_SZ" /d "%UserProfile%\Desktop" /f reg add "HKCU\Software\XnView\Start" /v "SavePosition" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "0" /f reg add "HKCU\Software\XnView\Start" /v "ShowSaveDlg" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "0" /f[/quote] But for the fun part, even when XnView is installed, it can not be set as a default app, so installed apps are not always a guarantee, that everything will work.

Yes, this is the biggest advantage of portable apps, especially for those, you do not have to register in order for them to work. I have tons of portable apps like that, I either run them directly or via WRT.

 

A correction to the above.

Many applications has built in support for running in portable mode. Even applications that require a license. And yes, you must provide your own keys for those apps. Doing it any other way is illegal.

What comes to system security, the OS security stays absolutely intact and those apps that has not been designed to run in portable mode are still unmodified. They are just put in a sandbox which improves security even more.

You find all kinds of suspicious portable apps also, that has modified binaries, but those are completely illegal and should be avoided at all cost.

Stick with PortableApps.com and it's converter and you're safe. Either you can turn an app to portable or you can't. If you can't, then find another solution and move on.

 

Howdy, Billy:

I appreciate the additional practical reasons you utilize PORTABLE APPS.

This is what I had in mind... but wanted up-to-date confirmation since it's been several years since I last researched this topic.

I found: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/create...le-apps-cameyo... the last paragraph states the following:

Any comments comparing these app portable virtualization tools or any others with PROS and CONS?

• Cameyo

• Thinapp

• P-Apps

Thank you much!

~ Alan

 

Howdy, Bo:

Your post introduces the option:
SANDBOX vs. PORTABLE APPS

Food for thought... I'm well familiar... Have not used a SANDBOX app in many years...

I have recently used both Win RESTORE POINT... or a DISK IMAGE restore... to disappear a software install.

Will have to get back to you on this one.

Thank you much!

~ Alan

 

But for the fun part, even when XnView is installed, it can not be set as a default app, so installed apps are not always a guarantee, that everything will work.





Yes, this is the biggest advantage of portable apps, especially for those, you do not have to register in order for them to work. I have tons of portable apps like that, I either run them directly or via WRT.[/quote]
Howdy, TairikuOkami:

Appreciate your BIG effort on this post!

1. I will check out Geek Uninstaller.
It's simple to test how thorough an uninstaller is when I test their results to view orphans left behind:

1. Registrar Registry Manager
2. RegSeeker
3. Everything
(see links above)
2. I don't backup files (ini/reg entries)... instead I utilize Windows CREATE RESTORE POINT and Minitool Partition Wizard to create backup images... from my experience safer, simpler, and faster. Have not yet run into one hitch (problem). *Wink

3. My current (2) top portable app prospects are Google Chrome and Webroot Antivirus.

I will contact Webroot Tech Support today to confirm whether Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete can be successfully run as a PORTABLE APP.

• This is a good case in which I would not SANDBOX this app because it's a paid subscription and both the app and tech support have proven themselves to provide excellent service and protection.

Thank you much for the extra effort and time you put into this post!

~ Alan