Portable Apps vs Installers

G

gonwk

New Member
Hi folks,

I happen to see an article while back on a different site that suggested using "Portable Apps" over their Installer version is Much Better for the Windows operation. For example like 7-Zip, Defrag programs, VLC, etc.

Q1: Is this a True statement? Is it Better to use Portable applications whenever is possible?
Or can this practice be worse for the Windows operation.

BTW, I am running Vista Home Prem. SP2, X64 on my laptop.

Thanks,

G! :)
 

My Computer

System One

I don't see any real difference between the two methods.
 

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  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro X64
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    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
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    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz, 3401 Mhz, 4 Core(s)
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    Samsung SSD 840 EVO 250GB Seagate ST2000NM001 2TB Seagate ST31500341AS 1.5TB
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    50MB Down, 10MB Up
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There is no universally valid answer as to whether installed or portable applications are "better" and even the term is highly subjective with multiple meanings. There is a place for both. Portable applications are easily moved from location to another. Doing that with installed applications is so difficult that it is rarely even attempted. But the lack of an installer imposes many restrictions on a developer so portable applications are usually relatively small and simple. For large and complex applications an installer is often essential. Portable applications can be more difficult to "install" for novice users.
 

My Computer

System One

pbcopter said:
The difference is that portable applications do not install on the system (so no uninstall required) nor put things in the registry.
Click to expand...

Sometimes they will put things into the registry
If you run the program what changed you can see the entries listed.
Main use for portable programs or tools is you can use them on several computers easier
I have what changed in my tools section
tools_index
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
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    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
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    LENOVO 64734VM
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    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
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    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
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    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
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    15 inch
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    1280 x 800
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    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD 1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp 1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm 1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
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    Medium for New Zealand
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    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset. Only ever used a laptop. Also use USB Freeview TV Card Lenovo Docking Station External Speakers Other bits a pieces as needed
Hi bpcopter & LMiller,

Thanks for your replies. So, LMiller & bpcopter ... what do you folks like personally ...

So, somehow my laptop got crapped out since I was using "CCleaner" & "Wise Care 365" and was not paying attention and I just said Clean ... one of them really cleaned my clock and Deleted something that it should not have ... so, I ended up getting Black Screen with White Cursor deal ... so, I started from Recovery Discs ...

So, since new install I wanted to make sure I do things a bit Smarter ... then I happen to see the darn Article in "LifeHacker" swearing by Portable Apps and not cramming out your Windows Registry ... and the rest is history ... with me Posting this Q on Vista Forum ...

OK, like the other day I used VLC Portable (Zipped folder) but I can not get the Right-Click Explorer function ...
The reason I opted for VLC Portable was I ran x32 and x64 versions of it's Installers thru VirusTotal.com and it came one or two Malware and Trojans ...
I had always Trusted VLC ... so, I decided Not to go with the Installer.

So, I wanted to use WinRAR ... and this bad boy had couple of Hits & Warnings of TROJANS ... so, I passed using it ... so, I am not sure if the darn 2 AVs that detected Nasties is VLAID or not ...

But some of the programs that I use or want to use don't have Portable versions ... like WinRAR, and others ...

So, bottom line I was hoping that you folks who understand the working of Software end of the PC ... could advise me one way or the other ... and may be Confirm LifeHacker's comment as to go Portable as much as possible.

Thanks again,

G! :)
 

My Computer

System One

ilikefree said:
Sometimes they will put things into the registry
If you run the program what changed you can see the entries listed.
Main use for portable programs or tools is you can use them on several computers easier
I have what changed in my tools section
tools_index
Click to expand...

Hi ILikeFree,

I must have been typing away while you posted your comment ... Appreciate the Clarification and the Link ... Pretty Neat!

Thanks,

G! :)
 

My Computer

System One

I use many portable programs. Most I write just use an .ini file for settings. One program that really does need to be installed is the default browser. There are so many registry settings for the default browser that I don't think it can be simulated. But you only need one as default. For example I have Pale Moon 64 bit installed as default. But I have Firefox Portable that I also use. But the default comes in handy for launching links from outside the browser. For instance double clicking a link in EditPad Lite or another editor that will call ShellExecute() to launch the default browser.

If you use IE then it's already installed so nothing to do. :)
 

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion m9515y
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    Phenom X4 9850
    Memory
    8 GB
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    Some Radeon Cheapie with 512 MB Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    CRT
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    1280x1024
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    750 GB SATA 3G 2 SIIG Superspeed docks w/WD Caviar Black Sata II or III
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