QUESTION: Efficacy of Running Portable Apps on Internal Hard Drive ?

ab1kenobee · 21 Apr 2018

Bree said:

MiniTool provide their own portable version.

https://www.partitionwizard.com/part...ion-magic.html

Howdy, Bree:

10-4. Understood.
THX. ~ Alan

ab1kenobee · 21 Apr 2018

Hello Members:

I posted these (3) questions to PortableApps.com... and thought it could serve as a worthwhile reference here in TenForums.com as well.

The PA UPDATE / UPGRADE info provided reads fairly arcane to me... so I want to make sure I understand it:

========================

Upgrading a Portable App
Portable App Support | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives

PortableApps.com Platform Updater (Recommended) - To upgrade your apps using the platform's built-in updater, just select Help and then Check for Updates. The platform will inform you what apps are out of date and offer to automatically download and install the updated versions.

PortableApps.com Platform Manual - To upgrade a portable app from the PortableApps.com Platform manually, first, make sure the app isn't open. Then, click Apps and then Install a New App. In the window that comes up, click the Install button. Then, browse to the AppNamePortable_x.x.paf.exe file you downloaded and select it. Now, follow the on-screen prompts if there are any. The Platform takes care of letting the installer know where to install to. All of your current settings and data will be preserved.

Standalone - To upgrade a portable app manually without the PortableApps.com Platform, just browse to the location of the AppNamePortable_x.x.paf.exe file you downloaded. Double-click the file to start the installation. Follow the on-screen prompts and select the location you'd like to install to. For upgrades, you should select the parent directory of the AppNamePortable directory in which the app is currently installed. For example, if the app is within X:\PortableApps\AppNamePortable, you'd want to select the X:\PortableApps directory in the Browse Folder window. After clicking OK, it should show X:\PortableApps\AppNamePortable. All of your current settings and data will be preserved.

========================

QUESTIONS

- Does UPDATING require the PA Platform... or can portable apps located in other folders also be UPDATED manually or automatically?

- What are the UPDATING consequences of using the PA Platform for downloads... and then moving the downloaded FOLDER to another disk location?

- Are there any VIDEOS that clearly explain the above?

Thank you in advance for a prompt and detailed response.

~ Alan

ab1kenobee · 21 Apr 2018

TairikuOkami said:

Try Geek Uninstaller and let me know, if it performs better.

(OFF-TOPIC)

Hello, TairikuOkami:

I just came across an ARTICLE:

The best free uninstaller 2018
https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-software-uninstaller

1. IObit Uninstaller
2. Wise Program Uninstaller
3. GeekUninstaller

IObit does quite a good REG cleaning job... and has proven safe so far... however no matter... I always end up cleaning REG orphans using:

1. Registrar Registry Manager
2. RegSeeker
3. Everything

Hope this proves helpful.

~ Alan

bo elam · 21 Apr 2018

ab1kenobee said:

Your post introduces the option:
SANDBOX vs. PORTABLE APPS

Food for thought... I'm well familiar... Have not used a SANDBOX app in many years...

Hi Alan, I didn't mean to say use Sandboxing or portable. I use both. I run all programs, portable and non portable sandboxed. And to achieve better isolation, I run them in their own sandbox to separate them not only from the system but from other programs as well.Thats what I do with programs I use on a daily basis, I install them and run them sandboxed. Thats the everyday use of Sandboxie.

What I was trying to bring in is another feature of Sandboxie, installing programs sandboxed. When you install a program sandboxed, the installation sort of works out as portable and is more secure. The installation is redirected to C:\Sandbox\Bo. You use the program for as long as you want and delete the sandbox when you done. No need to uninstall nothing. The type of programs I install sandboxed are the ones I want to use only temporarily, to test, etc.

The beauty of Sandboxie in my opinion, is that sandboxed programs interact fluently with the non sandboxed environment, the feeling, the usabilty and the experience when you run files and programs sandboxed is basically the same as if you were not running sandboxed. The difference is that you are very secure. Programs that run sandboxed (portable, non portable, installed in a sandbox) under SBIE cant modify files or create new files in the system or make changes in the registry or modify other programs. Every modification they make or new files they create, stay in the containing sandbox. The only changes that get out of the sandbox is what you allow. You dont allow nothing, nothing gets out. Sandbox settings allow you to open up the sandbox as much as you want (to a degree), and restrict it even more than how it comes by default. So, you can allow bookmarks and recover files very easily in your browser or create Office files, modify them, whatever you want, it can be done in the sandboxed environment.

Sounds to me like you like to keep the system clean of leftovers, you ought to take a look at SBIE, keeping the system clean of litter is another benefit of using SBIE.

ab1kenobee said:

QUESTIONS

- Does UPDATING require the PA Platform... or can portable apps located in other folders also be UPDATED manually or automatically?

I update my portable programs like any other program. Run the installer in the folder of the existing installation.

Bo

pyramid10 · 21 Apr 2018

I update my portable programs like any other program. Run the installer in the folder of the existing installation.

-- bo elam

I generally run the paf.exe file from my software download folder. The process allows me to specify the drive and folder to which the program will deposit itself. And I normally create a new folder with the version number to differentiate from the previous version. This way, should the new version have hiccups, I still have the previous version to run, and I delete the hiccuped version. This happened last year with LibreOffice. The folks introduced GL rendering as default. This made the Tools/Options panel menu invisible in a high-contrast system. Every incremental release for LibreOffice resulted in the same until the folks finally sorted it. The downside was the personal settings had to be re-configured.

cereberus · 21 Apr 2018

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

main reason portable apps were invented (not the only reason but a primary driver) was to install things on locked down computers and another reason was to get round program licenses / activation codes - a typical one being the use of Photoshop as a portable app.

Most of these apps contain "dubious" code --- doesn't necessarily mean malware but to get these to run outside the normal "gambit" of Windows they have to do all sorts of tricks which may or may not bypass standard OS protection -- so you are opening up yourself to a lot of potential problems plus running unauthorised software on locked down computers is another possible source of big trouble for the user.

Personally if I need an application - what's wrong with running it windows -- alternatively run it on a VM if you want to test it or even as some do on a "Sandbox" -- although I prefer the idea of a VM -- users choice though.

Cheers
jimbo

Actually the concept of portable apps only came into being once the registry was introduced. In very early versions of Windows, all apps were portable.

ab1kenobee · 23 Apr 2018

See related post copied from PortableApps.com:

UPDATING: PortableApps Platform vs Custom Location ???

ab1kenobee · 23 Apr 2018

bo elam said:

Hi Alan, I didn't mean to say use Sandboxing or portable. I use both. I run all programs, portable and non portable sandboxed. And to achieve better isolation, I run them in their own sandbox to separate them not only from the system but from other programs as well.Thats what I do with programs I use on a daily basis, I install them and run them sandboxed. Thats the everyday use of Sandboxie.

What I was trying to bring in is another feature of Sandboxie, installing programs sandboxed. When you install a program sandboxed, the installation sort of works out as portable and is more secure. The installation is redirected to C:\Sandbox\Bo. You use the program for as long as you want and delete the sandbox when you done. No need to uninstall nothing. The type of programs I install sandboxed are the ones I want to use only temporarily, to test, etc.

The beauty of Sandboxie in my opinion, is that sandboxed programs interact fluently with the non sandboxed environment, the feeling, the usabilty and the experience when you run files and programs sandboxed is basically the same as if you were not running sandboxed. The difference is that you are very secure. Programs that run sandboxed (portable, non portable, installed in a sandbox) under SBIE cant modify files or create new files in the system or make changes in the registry or modify other programs. Every modification they make or new files they create, stay in the containing sandbox. The only changes that get out of the sandbox is what you allow. You dont allow nothing, nothing gets out. Sandbox settings allow you to open up the sandbox as much as you want (to a degree), and restrict it even more than how it comes by default. So, you can allow bookmarks and recover files very easily in your browser or create Office files, modify them, whatever you want, it can be done in the sandboxed environment.

Sounds to me like you like to keep the system clean of leftovers, you ought to take a look at SBIE, keeping the system clean of litter is another benefit of using SBIE.

I update my portable programs like any other program. Run the installer in the folder of the existing installation.

Bo

Howdy, Bo:

Great post! Thank you.

QUESTIONS

- Now that I have deposited PORTABLE APPS in customized disk locationed FOLDERS...
can I SANDBOXIE each one of these folders in a customized disk location as well... outside of C:\ Win 10 ?

- Is there any meaningful advantage to SANDBOXING (SBIE) portables vs. standard apps?

I have created separate partitions for DATA (F:\) and MEDIA (G:\). I am leaning towards not to SANDBOXING document and media files (e.g. docx, pdf, jpg, png, etc.). From what you written... is my understanding correct...

- Is standard file archiving in customized disk location also an option?

UPDATING: (10-4. Got it.)

Bo wrote: I update my portable programs like any other program. Run the installer in the folder of the existing installation.

Thank you much! Looking forward to hearing back from you.

Positively,

~ Alan

ab1kenobee · 23 Apr 2018

pyramid10 said:

I generally run the paf.exe file from my software download folder. The process allows me to specify the drive and folder to which the program will deposit itself. And I normally create a new folder with the version number to differentiate from the previous version. This way, should the new version have hiccups, I still have the previous version to run, and I delete the hiccuped version.

This happened last year with LibreOffice.
The folks introduced GL rendering as default. This made the Tools/Options panel menu invisible in a high-contrast system. Every incremental release for LibreOffice resulted in the same until the folks finally sorted it.

pyramid10 said:

I generally run the paf.exe file from my software download folder. The process allows me to specify the drive and folder to which the program will deposit itself.

Good. This is more efficient than copying & pasting to customized location. THX.

pyramid10 said:

I normally create a new folder with the version number to differentiate from the previous version. This way, should the new version have hiccups, I still have the previous version to run, and I delete the hiccuped version.

The downside was the personal settings had to be re-configured.

Possible FIX ?

Copy the file to your NEW FOLDER first... and then run the PAF.EXE file over the existing file... which might preserve your personal settings?

THX much! ~ Alan

bo elam · 24 Apr 2018

ab1kenobee said:

Howdy, Bo:
Great post! Thank you.

You are welcome, I am glad you like it.

ab1kenobee said:

QUESTIONS

- Now that I have deposited PORTABLE APPS in customized disk locationed FOLDERS...
can I SANDBOXIE each one of these folders in a customized disk location as well... outside of C:\ Win 10?

You sure can. You can use Sandboxie to sandbox files and programs anywhere in C or outside C. Examples of how to sandbox files. With Sandboxies free version, you can right click files and select run sandbox, then you choose the sandbox where you want to run the file, or, you can open a sandboxed version of Windows explorer/File explorer and navigate to any file or program anywhere in the computer that you want to run sandboxed, you click the file and it runs sandboxed. If I was using Sandboxies free version, I would use the sandboxed Windows explorer for navigating to my USB folders and download folder, that way anything you click or executes, runs under Sandboxies supervision. So, in your case, you can use the sandboxed Explorer for navigating to DATA (F:\) and MEDIA (G:\) or you could right click files on those drives to run them sandboxed.

With the registered version, sandboxing files and programs become automatic by using features that get unlocked when you register your version of SBIE (Forced programs and Forced folders). This features work like this, for example, if you set your PDF Reader as a Forced program, any PDF anywhere in the computer runs sandboxed automatically whenever a PDF file is executed. The other feature, Forced folders can be used to set folders like your Downloads folders, USB drives, CD/DVD drives or any drive as Forced folder. In a Forced folder, any file that's executed, runs sandboxed automatically. The perfect way for using Sandboxie is to combine using both features and the sandboxed File explorer.

About using SBIE in W10, it works great. I havent had any issue using SBIE in W10. I use it the same way I used it in XP and W7. Its always best to use latest beta in W10 than the latest stable, is more up to date and in my opinion, more stable.

ab1kenobee said:

- Is there any meaningful advantage to SANDBOXING (SBIE) portables vs. standard apps?

I sandbox portable and non portable programs for same reasons. I ll use Libre Office for this example. I use the portable version of Libre Office to make it easier to get rid from my sytem the 1000 files that program creates. If I want to get rid of Libre and the files, I just delete Libres folder. I sandbox Libre Office to avoid getting infected. Example, If I download an office file that someone sent me that has an exploit that can take advantage of a vulnerability in Libre, the infection is contained. It wont touch my system and is easy to get rid of it, I just delete contents of the sandbox and is like nothing happened. If you are using an AV and the AV doesn't have a signature for the infection, Sandboxie protects you. Sandboxie doesn't require signatures to protect the system or the registry.

ab1kenobee said:

I have created separate partitions for DATA (F:\) and MEDIA (G:\). I am leaning towards not to SANDBOXING document and media files (e.g. docx, pdf, jpg, png, etc.). From what you written... is my understanding correct...

No, actually those are the type of file you want to sandbox. Sandboxie is an application sandbox program, so, the more applications and type of files you sandbox, the more protection you get. In my personal case, pretty much the only time I am not using Sandboxie is when the computer is idle or when I have to update a program. Updating programs is done outside the sandbox.

Bo