JohnTHaller's favorites (31)

Paul's Extreme Sound Stretch is a program for modifying audio, although its most noted feature is stretching. The program includes the capability for (8x, 50x etc.) sound stretching, as well "spectral smoothing" the sounds to escape the audio artifacts common in other audio editors when dramatically slowing audio. Includes many post-processing effects including filters, pitch/frequency shifters and more. The program imports WAV, OGG and MP3 files and can export to WAV or OGG.

The program can be used as an audio toy or in creating ambient or "screw"-style music.

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.

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful photo and image editor for composition and authoring. It can be used as a simple paint program, a high quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter and much more.

The program is cross-platform with versions available for Mac and Linux. GIMP Portable is the PortableApps version of the program.

Notes:

1. If you're willing to risk trying a 2012 add-on, mimic Photoshop adjusts GIMP's layout to a switched on Photoshop-like single-window mode.
2. Alternatively, another portable package (though outdated from 2021) is X-Gimp.

DamnVid is a cross-platform application to download and convert videos from your hard drive or from dozens of video sharing websites like YouTube, Dailymotion, Veoh, Metacafe etc.

DamnVid Portable is a portable version of the program.

Cross platform with a client available for Linux.

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.

FreeMat is an environment for rapid engineering and scientific prototyping and data processing. Similar to commercial systems such as MATLAB from Mathworks and IDL from Research Systems, but is free and open source.

Instantbird is a simple and easy to use instant messaging client with support all the major networks. The program has a tabbed interface and similar look and feel to Firefox/Thunderbird (uses the Mozilla codebase), and includes support for customization using themes and add-ons.

Available networks include AOL, Yahoo, MSN, Google Talk, Twitter, Facebook, XMPP, IRC, ICQ, and more.

Instantbird Portable is a version in PortableApps.com format.

NOTE: this program hasn't been updated since 2013 and may contain security vulnerabilities.

jPortable (formerly Java Portable) allows you to easily add a Java runtime environment to your portable device. It can be used in combination with jPortable Launcher to open Java JAR programs (many with their settings made portable) or used automatically with Java-enabled apps like PortableApps.com versions of LibreOffice and OpenOffice as well as web browsers like Chrome/Chromium, Opera, SeaMonkey and Firefox.

Zoom allows you to have virtual video meetings, voice and/or video chat, screen sharing, and more. zmPortable is a portable launcher for this virtual meeting and collaboration platform.

LazPaint is a full-featured image and photo editor with support for layers, drawing tools, filter effects, rendering textures and more. The program can do standard operations like resize, flip/rotate, and crop, as well as advanced operations like zoom without pixelation ("smart zoom") and complex color controls. Supports variety of image formats, including SVG, RAW images, PDN (paint.net) and WebP.

Cross-platform with clients available for Mac and Linux.

Alternatively, LazPaint Portable adjusts paths and includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

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.

Checksum Control is an easy-to-use utility to generate and verify checksums on individual files or groups. The program employs a wizard interface to walk through the process of creating or verifying sets of files. The program includes advanced options to handle renaming of bad files, as well as how to handle files in memory while processing.

Supports SFV and MD5 hashing methods.

Checksum Control Portable is a wrapper version of this software. Functional on 64-bit systems.

VVV is an application that catalogs the content of removable volumes like CD and DVD disks for off-line searching. This allows you to keep an index of all the files on multiple drives and optical media in a single location. Folders and files can also be arranged in a single, virtual file system. Each folder of this virtual file system can contain files from many disks so you can arrange your data in a simple and logical way. VVV also stores metadata information from MP3 files: author, title, album and so on.

Export to spreadsheet (CSV format) available.

VVV Portable is a PortableApps version of the original program.

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.

Inkscape is a vector graphics editor and open alternative to commercial apps like Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw, or Xara X. Useful for branding, icons, web design, publishing and even illustrated maps, it supports features like shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns and grouping. Uses the open W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format, as well as exporting to other vector-based and standard image types like PNG. Imports formats such as JPEG, PNG and TIFF.

Inkscape Portable is a portable wrapper distributed by the publisher using the PortableApps.com format. Alternatively, X-Inkscape is another wrapper that writes settings to the application folder.

Those on Windows XP and Vista should use 0.92.3 as that is the last supported version for those operating systems.

Task Coach is a simple todo manager to keep track of personal tasks and todo lists. It grew out of a frustration that most task managers do not provide facilities for several activities so Task Coach was designed to deal with composite tasks. In addition, it offers effort tracking, categories and notes.

Task Coach Portable includes a PortableApps.com format launcher to handle portablisation. X-Task Coach is also available from the download page.

Cross-platform (OS X, Linux, BSD and iOS) with synchronisation features available via the Funambol service.

QuteCom (previously called WengoPhone) is a free SIP-compliant Voice over IP softphone. It can be used for audio and video chats with other SIP clients and even call landlines using a SIP provider.

QuteCom Portable is a version of the software from PortableApps.com. Alternatively, X-QuteCom is also available.

Xenon is a tabbed file manager that supports themes, search, bookmarks, and a folder view. The program also has its own file associations, letting you launch the program of your choice for a given file type.

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.

Simple Sudoku makes high quality puzzles that are symmetrical, have a single solution, and do not require trial & error to solve. The user can also choose between five levels of complexity - from Easy to Extreme. Each puzzle is generated randomly so there is an almost limitless selection.

The program includes tools to help solve puzzles such as keeping track of possible values for blank cells (candidates), providing filters / color markers, and hints.

Mp3splt-gtk is a utility to split MP3, OGG, and native FLAC files without any change in quality. The program is useful to split albums into tracks, or cut silence or unnecessary audio data, or make audio files easier to transfer.

Mp3splt-gtk Portable is is a portable version of the program. Alternatively, X-Mp3splt is also available.

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.

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)

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.