Hi everyone
I’ve come across portables that have all their files unpacked and in a folder. I’ve been trying to find out what software or method is used to do this. I’ve always used ThinApp to build my portables and as you know Thinapp builds a packaged portable.
It would be better for portables like Gimp to be unpacked so I can add plugins at a later date. If anyone can help me with this it would be much appreciated

Thanks

There are two ways at least:

1. Virtual portables: JPE (jauntePE)

2. "Classic" portables (wrappers): better for smaller or simpler applications. You can use a variety of programming/scripting languages here: NSIS, AutoIt and even RAR SFX or batch files. This method needs more knowledge.

I prefer NSIS for creating installers.

_________________
Added 177 Applications: Portable and an AutoIt MVP
SoftwareSpot - Portable Apps

Thanks guys I will have a look at those. Much appreciated

Here's a suggestion for a generic portabilization procedure:

1. Unpack target program to a folder;
2. Make sure you have a good tracking system in place -- Regshot, Primo, Sandboxie, Total Uninstall have all been used and are viable alternatives, so look them up;
3. Run the solution alluded in 2. before running the program in 1.;
4. If the program in 1. fails to run, check possible dependency or file system structure issues, and solve them;
5. Carefully compare system states before and after 3. and 4., carefully taking note of any recorded changes;
6. Create a launcher with any of the tools mentioned above by tproli (PortableApps.com and WinPenPack, among others, also detail systematic procedures and tools) to recreate the required program environment, record any configuration changes and erase all traces left behind after execution.

YMMV, but do this steps and you'll have your portable...

... and fire up a VirtualBox with a clean OS to revert easily if needed

I'd like to add that Windows and background tasks cause changes as well. When you don't know if a particular change is caused by the program, ask us.

_________________
My YouTube channel | Release date of my fourth playlist: April 11, 2013

Thanks for all your help. Ive been playing around with JauntePE since posting as tproli suggested. thought id have proper look at NSIS next. I like to learn different methods, and a software obsession doesn't help. lol
Been using ThinApp on a VMware Workstation with a xp a striped down with nlite.
All help and advice is much appreciated guys and and i will have a look into them.

Chears

Dont build/test your portables using a stripped down system
you usually end up with alot of stuff not working when the portables are used on another system.
set up a virtual machine with vbox or something (using an unaltered full install of whatever OS you use)

of course if your primary OS is nLited
then you proly already have issues here and there with apps not always working.

I like to remove explorer and WMP with nLite
but man so much stuff doesnt work
even if you leave the core files in place.

_________________
"Defects are always more tolerable than the changes necessary to correct them"