Solved Running Portable apps from my C drive


Stinger2000

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I have several portable apps I use and store in a folder in My Documents. With so many documents and stuff in that folder I am wanting to clean it up and also use PortableApps.com Platform so I can get updates easier. My thought us to store this right on my C drive. My question is. should I create a folder on my C drive and then install PortableApps.com Platform to that folder I created, or can I just install PortableApps.com Platform right to my C drive ? My guess is either way would work but thought I would ask those that know far more before I do it.

Thanks,
Steve
 

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I installed Portable Apps on a USB Thumb drive, keeps it as it's stated purpose. It should work using the same procedure to a aptly-named folder and put all such programs in that folder. There are some programs that can be downloaded as .zip and simply Extracted to a folder on any drive and run from there.
 

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I installed Portable Apps on a USB Thumb drive, keeps it as it's stated purpose. It should work using the same procedure to a aptly-named folder and put all such programs in that folder. There are some programs that can be downloaded as .zip and simply Extracted to a folder on any drive and run from there.
Thanks, Berton
 

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I have PortableApps installed in my Dropbox so that the settings for the apps sync across PCs... I'd advise if you want to run them directly from C: create a folder (ex. C:\Apps) and install them into there.

I'm not sure if I'm just not awake enough yet, but it sounded like you were thinking of installing the apps directly to the Root of C: and that would be a bad idea. Although most apps are self-contained inside a folder, some of the apps do use a file or two in the root of their location, which in this case would plop stuff in Root of C:
 

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I have PortableApps installed in my Dropbox so that the settings for the apps sync across PCs... I'd advise if you want to run them directly from C: create a folder (ex. C:\Apps) and install them into there.

I'm not sure if I'm just not awake enough yet, but it sounded like you were thinking of installing the apps directly to the Root of C: and that would be a bad idea. Although most apps are self-contained inside a folder, some of the apps do use a file or two in the root of their location, which in this case would plop stuff in Root of C:
That was what I was planning. C:\Portable Apps
Thanks
 

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That was what I was planning. C:\Portable Apps
Thanks
Good plan, but for compatibility of some of the apps, don't include the space in the folder name (PortableApps). :D
 

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I have a few apps installed on C: drive rather than in Program Files but they did create their own install folder. If not done automatically one can use a Custom install where offered to specify a folder but as mentioned, can't install or even write some things to C:\ without being in a folder.
1646579870669.png
 

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Good plan, but for compatibility of some of the apps, don't include the space in the folder name (PortableApps). :D
Things like that is why I ask first. LOL
 

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I have a few apps installed on C: drive rather than in Program Files but they did create their own install folder. If not done automatically one can use a Custom install where offered to specify a folder but as mentioned, can't install or even write some things to C:\ without being in a folder.
View attachment 23556
Makes sense. I will definitely put it in a folder.
 

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One other thing, the Portable Apps program install on my thumb drive renamed/relabeled it as PortableApps, might be an issue with the C: drive but it can be changed back.
 

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One other thing, the Portable Apps program install on my thumb drive renamed/relabeled it as PortableApps, might be an issue with the C: drive but it can be changed back.
Thanks for that info. I can just name it C:\Apps like @Archigos mention in his reply.
 

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Good plan, but for compatibility of some of the apps, don't include the space in the folder name (PortableApps). :D
Also, it is generally not a good idea to put personal folders on root drive. You can get inexplicable file permission issues.

Better to put them under \users\yourname\PortableApps - then all files inherit same permissions as all user files.
 

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Might as well install them on a separate partition, to keep them impervious to Windows mishaps.

I keep one folder in the root of my D:-drive for portable stuff, such as software that can be 'installed' by unzipping it in a new folder, and within that folder I have a folder for the PortableApps platform.
 

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Might as well install them on a separate partition, to keep them impervious to Windows mishaps.

I keep one folder in the root of my D:-drive for portable stuff, such as software that can be 'installed' by unzipping it in a new folder, and within that folder I have a folder for the PortableApps platform.
I do have plenty of free space on my C drive to do that. That seems like they way I will go !!!
 

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I don't believe in adding anything to the root of C: that doesn't have to be there. I have a PortableApps folder on my data drive with a shortcut on my desktop.
 

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Thank you all for the help and advice. In the end I decided to not put it on my C drive and took the advice of @glasskuter and set it up on my D drive which I use for Data. :)
 

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I use portable apps whenever they are available. It reduces registry size and complexness. They are also much easier to remove if needed, without needing to go through un-installation. I don’t need to identify any as being portable

Examples:

My desktop has many portable apps. Also, on the desktop I have a folder called System that has another 53 folders with portable apps as well as another 25 portable apps or more inside the main folder.

Also, a Utility Folder with 65 folders that contain portable apps and another 38 individual portable apps in the main folder.

So, I always choose portable apps if they are available.

Just my opinion!
 

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So, I always choose portable apps if they are available.
I agree, and many non-portable programs will also operate just fine if copied to a folder and run. Some exceptions are like my photo viewer. I can run it an it works fine, but the right click context menu is not there, and when I decide I want to make it a default app, it is not registered as an app for photos at all. In that case it's just easier to install it.

For the many portable apps I do have, I keep them in the Appdata/Roaming folder.
 

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