Are portable apps preferable, even for non-portable use ?

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  1. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (OEM)
       #1

    Are portable apps preferable, even for non-portable use ?


    Some software publishers or authors offer both portable and installable versions of their products. (Kee Pass is one of them.)

    Is it advisable to systematically prefer the portable version, when running it from a fixed drive and not a thumb drive, according to the logic that if it's possible not to write into the registry, it's better not to ?

    I often try new software, and I'm concerned about long-term stability. I install and uninstall a lot, using Revo Uninstaller Pro. But I've come accross people advising not to use Revo or other fancy uninstallers, just to stick to the product's own uninstaller or the Windows function.

    Also, I have set C-Cleaner to a daily auto-run. In the past, I used its registry cleaner quite regularly. But some people say it's better not to clean the registry at all.

    So I figured the more applications could stay away from the registry, the better. Is this a correct assumption ? Are there any drawbacks to portable apps ?
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  2. Posts : 211
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    HI
    I have been using a lot of cleaning softwares too . Registry as well as junk cleaners.
    Registry cleaner to me is a good thing as it removes the useless leftovers of programs that are left by their regular un-installer or some deleted files.

    ANS1 > I recommended to clean registry as it improves performance and reduce junk in resgitry . So if portables apps dnt have or create these junks in registry then ur assumption is right and i m at your side too because " u dont need to re-install every software when u replace OS as it will work as it is if its PORTABLE "

    ANS2 > Portable softwares are better then installed ones .

    Above are the answer given as a user , i have used many portable softwares never had any issue just benefits :)
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  3. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #3

    Clairvaux said:

    So I figured the more applications could stay away from the registry, the better. Is this a correct assumption ? Are there any drawbacks to portable apps ?
    Most of the apps I use don't offer portable versions.

    Functionality and ease of use would be my primary considerations. If portable and installed versions are identical in that respect, I'd probably lean toward portable.

    But I don't shy away from applications if they don't offer a portable version. I normally use Revo to uninstall and don't obsess over some odd fragments that might be left in the registry.

    I've never been able to tell the difference between a "clean" registry and one that hasn't been cleaned.

    Yes, fragments offend my sense of order and I acknowledge the compulsion to clean. But I don't act on it. If you can't resist the impulse, then YOU WILL clean the registry regardless of whether it's sensible. No one would expect you to resist the irresistible.
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  4. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #4

    Hi there

    Portable apps have the advantage is that they can run from a USB stick and don't need installing - so they are probably HATED by I.T depts. in work places.

    However a lot of Portable apps are breaking licensing rules such as "Portable Photoshop" which is found on a lot of torrent sites - so choose the portable app so that it doesn't break any copyright rules.

    Note also that things like registry cleaners etc IMO should be avoided

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  5. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (OEM)
    Thread Starter
       #5

    ignatzatsonic said:
    If you can't resist the impulse, then YOU WILL clean the registry regardless of whether it's sensible. No one would expect you to resist the irresistible.
    Actually, I'm not that type. I can certainly be persuaded not to fix it if it's not broken. I'm about to do a clean re-install of my PC, because the way it behaves is definitely not normal, and it's such a pain that I'd like to delay the next re-install as much as possible... But I can certainly relate to your offended sense of order.:)

    I think it's a Macrium Reflect hotline tech who told me once using Revo Uninstaller was not a good idea, and given the way imaging software gets deep into the system, he had some authority over the issue. But I still use it, because regular uninstallation too often leaves a mess all over the place.
    ________

    Clairvaux
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  6. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (OEM)
    Thread Starter
       #6

    ignatzatsonic said:
    I normally use Revo to uninstall and don't obsess over some odd fragments that might be left in the registry.
    Revo (Pro edition) has three settings for registry cleaning during uninstallation, going from "safe" to "advanced" (and maybe one more : "don't do anything to the registry beyond what the regular uninstaller has already done"). Any recommendations as to which is the best ?
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  7. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #7

    Portable vs Install


    Personally I'll use portable versions for anything that doesn't need to run all the time. Portable apps do need to be checked to see if updates are available.

    In some cases I've added a portable app into my start up folder when I want it to launch on startup.
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  8. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (OEM)
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Callender said:
    Personally I'll use portable versions for anything that doesn't need to run all the time.
    Sorry, I don't understand the logic.
    Callender said:
    Portable apps do need to be checked to see if updates are available.
    No difference there with installed applications, right ? I use the portable version of Kee Pass, and it checks automatically for updates each time it's launched.
    ________
    Clairvaux
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #9

    Updates


    Clairvaux said:
    Callender said:
    Personally I'll use portable versions for anything that doesn't need to run all the time.
    Sorry, I don't understand the logic.
    Callender said:
    Portable apps do need to be checked to see if updates are available.
    No difference there with installed applications, right ? I use the portable version of Kee Pass, and it checks automatically for updates each time it's launched.
    ________
    Clairvaux
    My thoughts: If a program needs to be left running the whole time and also installs services and drivers then I'll always install it rather than use the portable version. Other than that I mostly use portable apps when possible.

    Updates: I'm forgetting my habit of instantly blocking the connection if an app attempts to connect to the internet for any reason when it doesn't need to including sending usage statistics as well disabling any auto update process. I've always preferred a manual update check even for windows updates. The only auto updates on my machine are virus definition updates.
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  10. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #10
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