Portable Chrome Browser

Hey guys, I would like to be able to have my personal Bookmarks and Passwords to use while fixing a clients pc, on their pc. Till now haven't bothered with it, but I think it would be nice to do. I would prefer Chrome or Chromium, but if need be I'll use Firefox. I also use Xmarks to Sync with my Chrome and Firefox browsers but don't think that matters to much, most folks don't seem to use this Extension.

Any opinions as to which Browser use and if this is even something some of you use when fixing computers? I read in the past that Chrome Portable was not all that good, but maybe Firefox is better? I used FF Portable only briefly quite a while ago.

Thanks, Nasty7

I use Chrome Portable on a USB flash drive for that exact purpose. I have both Chrome Portable and Pale Moon Portable (I gave up on FF awhile ago), but I'm more of a Chrome guy so that's what I use more often. In fact, I have a couple copies of Chrome Portable because I can set them up with different extensions in case some websites don't function correctly with certain extensions.

Three observations to note, though:

First, beware if you have Chrome set to sync to your Google account. Depending on your sync settings, just logging in to your Google account in Chrome Portable will automatically import your bookmarks, extensions, et al. That's good if you want it that way, but in my case I don't want it syncing extensions so I need to make sure that option is unticked when setting up Chrome Portable.

Second, Chrome Portable never seems to update itself. When you first download it from portableapps.com it will download the latest version of Chrome, but from that point on it never seems to update itself to a later version like the regular installed version does. Perhaps that is a downside for some, but I consider it a benefit because it means I can have different versions of Chrome if necessary for testing purposes.

I don't keep up with every Chrome version, but I tend to download a new Chrome Portable about every 4 or 5 versions or so. (Tip: make a copy or zipfile of the ChromePortable folder after it's installed if you want to keep old versions.)

Third, I'm not sure if Xmarks will work with the portable version of Chrome. It's been years since I tried Xmarks, but IIRC I think it might only see permanently installed versions.

Thanks dg1261, I'll need to play around with that for sure!

A little hesitant to downlaod from Portable Apps but it appears to be legit. Will do some scans on any downloads.

Yes, Sync is always an issue LOL...a big issue if you don't get it right.

Second, Chrome Portable never seems to update itself.

Hmm, you can't Update it manually? I guess it would take another download and install. Have you ever tried to Update it the normal way? I can only assume it won't work that way.

I read a long time ago that you can create a Temp Account while on another computer, I will try this tonight. Still not good if you are rebooting etc. and need to create all over again.

Maybe this will interest you, seems as though this one is more popular, Chromium.
Chromium Portable download | SourceForge.net
Or here
Chromium Portable

I just create a html page with my links / bookmarks on it you can then double click to run it or load it as a page. You can of coarse just create your own portable apps How to Create Portable Versions of Applications in Windows 8.1 Using Cameyo

samuria said:

I just create a html page with my links / bookmarks on it you can then double click to run it or load it as a page. You can of coarse just create your own portable apps How to Create Portable Versions of Applications in Windows 8.1 Using Cameyo

Thanks samuria, I have also used html pages, but I have like 2500 Bookmarks. I'll look into creating the apps but will most likely try the Chromium one first. Just went out to get USB for just this and they were closed? I was pissed off lol. O. Depot supposed to be open till 9pm but closed at 6pm, no fun with all this Holiday traffic.

Just noticed this one guys, and this is what I remember reading a few years ago.
best portable browser??

Nasty7 said:

Maybe this will interest you, seems as though this one is more popular, Chromium.
Chromium Portable download | SourceForge.net
Or here
Chromium Portable

Yeah, they're all to the same thing. Note the PortableApps site links to SourceForge, and the SourceForge pages mention the download is in PortableApps format. They're the same thing.

I don't know why it doesn't update. It never has, and I've been using the portable version since about v28. Chrome's Help|About page merely says, "An error occurred while checking for updates." But it's never been a big deal to me because I never like auto-updating anyway. I always prefer manual updating on my schedule, not the app's schedule. That way, if something starts going wonky I can identify a cause/effect relationship.

You do not need to sync to your Account.


For Google Chrome bookmark

Click on an empty space on the bookmark bar.

Do right-click and select Bookmark Manager

Finally, click on Organise and select Export bookmarks to HTML.


With this HTML, this also can add as the backup if you unexpectedly delete one folder.

Layback Bear said:

Some body help me because I'm old and dumb and only have 3 brain cells.

What does one do with 2500 Bookmarks?
I seems to me it would take longer to find the right Bookmark than it would to type the subject into Google and find the website.
Jack

You've never researched something for a while and wanted to save your self all that time finding it again? I've been doing that for years. Yes some of them could be deleted but haven't found the time to do so.