JohnTHaller's favorites (31)

PortableApps.com Platform v29.5.3 Updated

Ennovy on 2 Dec 2024
  • 11MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 27 Jun 2024
  • Suggested by gp_hbk

PortableApps.com Platform is an all-in-one tool for portable software download, management and updating. An included launcher shows nested folders organized automatically by function or favorite status, as well as a cascading app view on right-click of the tray icon. The program's appearance can be customized with transparency and several color, texture, and background options.

Other tools include a find-as-you-type search functionality, available cloud installation, drive error checker, backup/restore utility, portable fonts, automatic application closing on shutdown and more. The program can also work with portable software outside of the PortableApps format (see Extract instructions).

Functional in 64-bit and WINE, includes broad language support and proxy support.

Category:
Runs on:WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 / Wine
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: Freeware/Open Source
How to extract:
  1. Download and run the portable installer
  2. Options are provided to extract to the local PC, connected portable drives, cloud drives, and custom directories
  3. Launch Start.exe

To add non-PortableApps applications place the program in its own subfolder under the \PortableApps subfolder and press F5 or restart. The new app will appear in the launcher menu under Other.
Similar/alternative apps: AutoRun LWMenu
What's new? See: https://portableapps.com/platform/changelog
Latest comments
ihateyou on 2013-03-15 21:39

The PortableApps Platform has been updated (a few times) since this was last updated.
I believe the current version is 11.2 (also there is a version 12 beta, I think its Beta 2)

Please update this listing!

webfork on 2013-03-16 15:13

ihateu: checker got it

shnbwmn on 2018-05-10 03:26

Latest version (v15.0) now supports .NET programs, the first of which appears to be KeePass Professional (or 2.x).

https://portableapps.com/news/2018-05-09--keepass-professional-portable-2.39-released

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Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition v132.0.2 Updated

Ennovy on 21 Nov 2024
  • 468MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 20 Nov 2024
  • Suggested by Eu Gene Lim

Firefox Browser is a fast, powerful and secure web browser that supports open standards and many of the latest web technologies. The program includes smart search, bookmark management, web development tools and built-in download manager. Smart content blocking for ads and trackers is available in both standard and private browsing modes.

Versions available for Mac, Android, iOS and Linux with synchronisation of passwords and browser state across devices. Additional features and customisations are available via the add-on system, which allows for thousands of specialized functions.

Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition is a special build licensed by Mozilla and includes both the 32-bit and 64-bit builds and selects the appropriate one for each PC. Beta, Developer, Extended Release, and Win 7/8/8.1 and XP/Vista versions are also available.

Category:
Runs on:Win10 / Win11 / Wine
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: Launcher: GPL, Program: MPL v. 2.0
How to extract: Download the self-extracting EXE and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch FirefoxPortable.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: Pale Moon Portable, SeaMonkey Portable
What's new? See: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/releasenotes/
Latest comments
PAFuser on 2020-06-11 12:24

64 bit system: save 181 MB by deleting firefox folder, and renaming firefox64 to firefox. Beta, standard, and ESR work fine.

AndTheWolf on 2022-09-22 14:45

Now at version 105

AndTheWolf on 2024-03-21 14:28

Now at version 124.0

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Mozilla Thunderbird, Portable Edition v128.4.3 Updated

Ennovy on 21 Nov 2024
  • 449MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 20 Nov 2024
  • Suggested by Eu Gene Lim

Mozilla Thunderbird is a skinnable, feature-rich email, calendar, task and instant messaging client with support for plugins and many protocols. It comes with advanced search tools, message filtering, Bayesian spam detector, built-in spell checker, mailbox compression and many more. Program features can be extended with add-ons, including a specialized version of email encryption tool GPG.

Email protocols include SMTP, POP3, IMAP (including uploads, albeit a date issue), NNTP and RSS and chat support for IRC, Twitter, XMPP, Google Talk, and Matrix. Also supports OAuth for use with accounts that require it instead of a password.

Mozilla Thunderbird, Portable Edition is a special build licensed by Mozilla. Alternatively, X-Thunderbird is also available. For XP/Vista, version 52.9.1 is available here.

Category:
Runs on:Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes. Note that available add-ons may or may not break stealth status, writing to AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: Launcher: GPL, Thunderbird: MPL
How to extract: Download the self-extracting EXE and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch ThunderbirdPortable.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: i.Scribe, Sylpheed
What's new? See: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/releases/
Latest comments
i_messed_up on 2020-05-22 15:13

I've noticed a folder in AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Crash Reports containing a file "InstallTime20191031083309" and an empty folder "events."

i_messed_up on 2020-05-26 21:32

Another folder: /AppData/Local/Thunderbird/updates/31986B0A98BCC43C

i_messed_up on 2020-05-30 22:26

Also found this key in the registry: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Thunderbird\Crash Reporter

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Google Chrome Portable v131.0.6778.70 Updated

Stephen Leibowitz on 13 Nov 2024
  • 289MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 13 Nov 2024
  • Suggested by JohnTHaller

Google Chrome is a web browser designed for simplicity and speed. Its minimalistic appearance and capabilities can be extended with themes and extensions. The program integrates with Google's tools and services, and can sync across other signed-in devices.

Cross-platform with clients available for Mac, Linux, Android and iOS.

Google Chrome Portable is the PortableApps version of the program. It includes automatic support for jPortable to enable web-based Java apps. For users interested in the cutting edge, Beta and Development are also available. For Windows versions from XP to 8, see past versions.

Note: Starting in v125, Chrome silently stopped supporting portable versions, which noticeably stopped supporting portable printing (including saving as PDF). Starting in v126, Chrome Portable bypasses it by hardcoding the command line parameter --disable-features=PrintCompositorLPAC (see the disable-features command line).

Category:
Runs on:Win10 / Win11 / Wine
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? No. Uses Windows' certificate manager, some Settings/Extensions Locked Per PC (see "App Notes" on website).
Unicode support: Partial
Path portability: Automatic compensation for dynamic drive letter in removable storage devices
License: Freeware
How to extract: Download the portable installer and install to a folder of your choice. Launch GoogleChromePortable.exe.

NOTE:
  • Some settings are tied to individual computers and are not portable, including certificates and passwords. See this thread for more information.
  • Optionally, to run in a more stealthy mode (that is not anonymous), start with --incognito to dismiss local history and cookies after program close.
Similar/alternative apps: X-Chromium, Slimjet
What's new? See: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/search/label/Stable updates
Latest comments
bitcoin on 2019-03-28 17:43

google sucks

Stephen Leibowitz on 2023-07-31 09:28

“Over the years [Chrome] has gained a reputation for being something of a resource hog, gobbling up your PC’s memory like it’s going out of style.” Starting with version 108, the Chrome desktop browser has a feature called Memory Saver that deactivates tabs that aren’t currently being used. When a user accesses a deactivated tab, it automatically reloads. A user can turn Memory Saver on or off. A user can also exclude specific sites from Memory Saver, keeping tabs for those sites active. See:
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/12929150?hl=en#zippy=%2Cturn-memory-saver-on-or-off%2Ckeep-specific-sites-active

lwc on 2024-06-15 07:15

I've added a note (with references) that portable versions of Chrome are no longer supported. They still work, but with bypasses and an uncertain future.

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FocusWriter v1.8.9 Updated

Andrew Lee on 13 Oct 2024
  • 138MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 11 Oct 2024
  • Suggested by Pyromaniac

FocusWriter is a full-screen word processor that aims for a distraction-free, immersive way to write and edit. The minimalist interface puts options and tools on the edge of the screen and auto-saves progress. Upon relaunch, the program reloads your last file to make make it easy to jump back into your work.

Alternatively, FocusWriter Portable is stealth and automatically adjusts paths.

Category:
Runs on:Win7 / Win8 / Win10
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? No. Leaves multiple Qt-related registry keys.
Unicode support: Yes
License: GNU GPLv3
How to extract: Download "Windows (Portable)" ZIP package and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch FocusWriter.exe.
What's new?
  • FIXED: Slow loading of themes
  • FIXED: Font did not update in theme preview
  • FIXED: Alert expander invisible with monochrome icon themes
  • FIXED: Incorrect icons in monochrome icon themes
Latest comments
JohnTHaller on 2013-06-30 17:03

AndTheWolf - It's fixed. Some editors keep pointing to static URLs instead of the download page for some reason. So, when it's updated, the download winds up wrong.

__philippe on 2018-03-31 15:31

Belatedly noticed FocusWriter's hefty 138MB footprint,
a tad rich for an alleged "minimalistic" word processor...;-)

webfork on 2018-04-11 22:29

philippe: true. I'll add a note that the minimalism refers to the interface.

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Audacious Portable v4.4.1 Updated

Andrew Lee on 2 Oct 2024
  • 136MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 1 Oct 2024
  • Suggested by JohnTHaller

Audacious is an open source audio player. A descendant of XMMS, Audacious plays your music how you want it, without stealing away your computer’s resources from other tasks. Drag and drop folders and individual song files, search for artists and albums in your entire music library, or create and edit your own custom playlists. Listen to CD’s or stream music from the Internet. Tweak the sound with the graphical equalizer or change the dynamic range with audio effects. Enjoy the modern Qt-themed interface or change things up with Winamp Classic skins. Use the plugins included with Audacious to fetch lyrics for your music, display a VU meter, and more.

Category:
Runs on:Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: MIT
How to extract: Download the self-extracting EXE to a folder of your choice. Launch AudaciousPortable.exe.
Latest comments
shiny on 2024-10-02 08:41

not 32bit. lame compiler again

Add comment

LibreOffice Portable v24.8.2 Updated

Ennovy on 27 Sep 2024
  • 776MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 27 Sep 2024
  • Suggested by JohnTHaller

LibreOffice is a complete productivity suite including word processor, spreadsheet, presentations, database, drawing tool and more. Includes strong compatibility for 100s of file formats including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio etc.). The program is similar to OpenOffice, a program that it was derived from, but has added many new features and improvements.

LibreOffice Portable is a special build developed in conjunction with the publisher. On systems without Java installed, some functions such as document creation wizards and the Base database application etc. can be enabled by adding jPortable, though this is optional and can be skipped if those functions are not needed. Alternatively, X-LibreOffice (64-bit version) is also available.

Other available portable versions:

  • Still - more tested and stable but with fewer features/capabilities
  • Legacy - for WinXP/Vista users (unsupported)

The program is cross platform with versions available for Mac, Linux/BSD (comes default with most distros) and supports a variety of extensions.

Category:
Runs on:Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Wine
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Automatic compensation for dynamic drive letter in removable storage devices
License: GPL/LGPL
How to extract: Download the portable installer and install to a folder of your choice. Launch LibreOfficePortable.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: OpenOffice, FreeOffice
What's new? See: https://www.libreoffice.org/download/release-notes/
Latest comments
freakazoid on 2024-09-30 01:25

@tomcat - It's possible to install individual LibreOffice apps on Linux distros, but not with Windows installs unfortunately.

tomcat on 2024-10-17 13:22

A powerful free alternative to MS WORD is WPS Writer, claiming full compatibility and similar UI:
https://www.wps.com/office/writer/
I wonder if it can be made (stealth) portable.

Midas on 2024-10-18 06:43

@tomcat: WPS Office was found to be adware and not natively portable.

Check https://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13435

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PortableApps.com AppCompactor v3.7.8

Andrew Lee on 22 Aug 2024
  • 1MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 20 Aug 2024
  • Suggested by Checker

PortableApps.com AppCompactor allows you to compress whole directories including applications, file libraries and zip files. The program is a powerful compression tool that unites 7-Zip and UPX inside a user-friendly wizard. For applications, this saves disk space and increases performance when running from a slow media (like flash drives). For archives, this will recompress DLL, EXE, ZIP, JAR, IRC, PYD and BIN files to their maximum compression settings, as well as an option to decompress an app's binary files that were previously compressed with UPX.

All files are tested using UPX's test feature after compressing. Files smaller than 4K are automatically skipped as compressing will not save space on the drive. The standard Microsoft Visual C runtimes are skipped to prevent antivirus false-positives. Advanced configuration can be done with apps in PortableApps.com Format.

Note: As UPX will alter the EXEs and DLLs (reversible using the Decompress option in the AppCompactor) and some apps may have issues with Zip or Jar files compressed further, users should backup software and test it after processing.

Category:
Runs on:WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Wine
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: GPL
How to extract: Download the self-extracting EXE and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch PortableApps.comAppCompactor.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: ArcThemAll
What's new? See: https://portableapps.com/news/2024-08-20--portableapps.com-appcompator-3.7.8-released
Latest comments
webfork on 2010-09-15 20:07

tommyD: Disadvantages are that it breaks some programs, and it may be slightly more CPU-intensive to decompress libraries and executables on the fly.

double0 on 2011-04-13 05:31

I agree with wf; where is operaportable?

I am Baas on 2012-02-17 00:34

Version 2.4 is up.

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7-Zip Portable v24.08

SYSTEM on 22 Aug 2024
  • 14MB (uncompressed)
  • Released on 20 Aug 2024
  • Suggested by Andrew Lee

7-Zip is an archive manager that can view and create a wide variety of formats. The program includes folder favorites, optional two-pane view, checksum calculator, file split/combine capability and more. Individual archives can be created with high speed or high compression settings, update options (including update, add/replace, synchronize), split volumes and more. Archives can be secured with standard zip or more secure AES encryption.

Although the official archiver for the open, high-compression "7z" format, the program also supports the creation of multiple formats including ZIP, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR and WIM. It will extract a long list of other formats, among them RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, RPM, VHD, VMDK etc. Even more formats are supported through third-party plugins. Supports many world languages.

Additionally, to use alternative toolbar and file icons, 7-Zip Theme Manager is available.

7-Zip Portable is a wrapper from PortableApps.com, auto-detecting 32 or 64-bit automatically. Alternatively, X-7zip is also available.

There is also a 7-Zip standalone console version.

Category:
Runs on:WinXP / Vista / Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 / Wine
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
License: Freeware/Open Source
How to extract: Download the self-extracting EXE and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch 7-ZipPortable.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: PeaZip, IZArc, BandiZip
What's new? See: https://sourceforge.net/p/sevenzip/discussion/45797/thread/f162d68dcd/
Latest comments
AndTheWolf on 2019-02-01 14:58

PortableApps.com came out with v18.06 yesterday.

hamasaki on 2024-02-01 12:21

Not stealth, stores data at HKCU\Software\7Zip

freakazoid on 2024-02-02 21:52

@hamasaki - It's stealth to me. I don't see anything written to HKCU\Software\7Zip.

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SeaMonkey, Portable Edition v2.53.18.2

Ennovy on 14 Jun 2024

SeaMonkey is a complete internet suite with web browser, email & newsgroup client with an included web feed reader, easy HTML editor, IRC chat and web development tools. The browser supports fine-grained controls over images, cookies and more on a per-site basis. Based on Netscape Communicator and then Mozilla Suite, this software bundle includes many technologies used in Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird and supports many of their add-ons.

SeaMonkey, Portable Edition is a version of the software from PortableApps.com and works automatically with web-based Java apps if their jPortable tool is present.

For those using Windows XP and Vista, the last supported version was 2.49.5.

Category:
Runs on:Win7 / Win8 / Win10 / Win11 / Wine
Writes settings to: Application folder
Stealth: ? Yes
Unicode support: Yes
Path portability: Automatic relative path (eg. ..\..\personal\work.doc)
License: Freeware/Open Source
How to extract: Download the self-extracting EXE and extract to a folder of your choice. Launch SeaMonkeyPortable.exe.
Similar/alternative apps: Mozilla Firefox, Pale Moon Portable, Opera
What's new? See: https://www.seamonkey-project.org/news
Latest comments
Midas on 2020-10-21 14:38

For details on why Seamonkey Portable isn't being updated, please see https://portableapps.com/node/60496.

loin2kolpotoru on 2021-01-30 07:56

Entry should be updated Seamonkey is no longer compatible with XP

freakazoid on 2021-01-30 13:14

@loin2kolpotoru I've updated the compatibility field and added a note about last supported XP/Vista version.

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