QUESTION: How to make any app PORTABLE?

There is a better solution with deep freeze or freeware alternative the pc is bomb proof you can get infected delete windows folder then rebbotand it all works as before Library - Faronics

Samuria said:

There is a better solution with deep freeze or freeware alternative the pc is bomb proof you can get infected delete windows folder then rebbotand it all works as before Library - Faronics

Deep freeze doesnt cut it for what Alan wants to achieve. He wants to sort of install programs in an isolated space, keep the program for a while and restrict this programs from making permanent changes to the file system and the registry. Thats exactly what you get with Sandboxie but you cant do that with Deep freeze. With Deep freeze, you install the program and once you reboot, the program is gone, deleted.

Besides that, let me make a short comparison for you between Light virtualization programs like Deep freeze and Sandboxie (an application sandbox). I never tested or used Deep freeze but I am very familiar with programs like Deep freeze. I used for a long time Shadow defender and also tested and used Time freeze. I think this type of programs are fantastic but in my personal view, they are better suited for testing programs that dont require a reboot or for testing changes in the system and then see the result of the changes in the system. For W10, I decided not to use Light virtualization programs but before, I used to use them along SBIE. I always used Sandboxie for security and the LV program for testing programs.

Regarding security, stronger security is one thing you get with Sandboxie that you cant achieve with Deep freeze type programs. Via Sandbox settings, you can restrict the programs that can run in the sandbox, programs that can connect to the internet, Drop rights of programs that are allowed to run so even if you allow them to run, they cant install nothing in the sandboxed environment. Programs that are allowed to run, cant install drivers or services. Also, and as important, via Sandbox settings, you can block sandboxed programs from having access to your personal and sensitive files. That way you keep files that are important safe from being stolen. By using sandbox settings, you make things pretty tight in the sandbox and at the same time maintain usability intact. None of this things related to security can be done with Deep freeze, where every program can run, connect to the internet, have access to all files and folders in the system and anything can install.

Bo

Samuria said:

There is a better solution with deep freeze or freeware alternative the pc is bomb proof you can get infected delete windows folder then rebbotand it all works as before Library - Faronics

Either Reboot Restore Rx (freeware) or Toolwiz Time Freeze (freeware)

I think Bree is right. It is not necessary to provide access to the registry online application. It's not safe.
As for the original question, I do not know a single application that satisfies all requests. All of them require the installation for further work

Does anyone know of a site where I can get portable app?

Yes, that IS what a portable app is.

Everything a portable app needs should be placeable on any medium (preferably a portable medium, such as a thumb drive).
Everything the app needs should be there.
If the app needs to record settings or other data it should do so in its own folder.
And it ought not require any installer.

All of that is what makes it portable.

lx07 said:

That is not what a portable app is.

A portable app may not installed but it may (or may not) write to the registry. There is no limitation to writing to HKCU - anything run by any (non administrator user) can.
This from the Rufus FAQ explains it in more detail

I have already cross-posted this in the 'Virtualization' forum, but those conversations mainly involve Virtual Machines, not virtualized apps. This thread seems more appropriate.

My use case is 1. Running multiple versions of the same software. 2. Running many different applications many of which conflict with one another. I need to run so many different applications in becomes impractical to run a VM for each. Over the years, I've used different custom Windows versions to keep VM sizes/resources small. Full windows 10 versions are not only huge but require all the maintenance and updates, which you can't get around with a snapshot feature. Window LTSC builds generally give me the a compromise of size and maintenance requirements while being fully compatible, but I've also went to the extreme of using 3rd part 'Lite' builds.

I feel like Windows should offer a 'Install in Sandbox' feature. Microsoft already provides MSIX and older repackaging tools, though, I haven't had much luck with MSIX packager. They even provide a VM with the packager ready to use. It does make a containerized Windows App but it's not easy and even after learning it, some software just doesn't work. Sandboxie also just didn't work as I had hoped.

I've also tried VMWare ThinApp to make 'portable' apps. There are some more app virtualization utilities out there and there is a whole bunch of 'portable' apps, both legit and pirated but it takes some work to make these correctly.

Does anyone have virtualization app utility recommendations? I thought this would be discussed in the Virtualization forum but mostly it's just VM discussion.

Most portable apps work great in Windows PE ;-) just ask Sergei Strelec

I'm not sure about virtualized apps, but for portable app creation, use 7zSFX Constructor... surprised no one posted it before, this thread is old and looked dead before you asked. Next time probably better to open a new thread.

GitHub - CryptoNickSoft/7z-SFX-Constructor: Create 7z SFX archives

Easy. Powerful. Free. (I'm sure donations are welcome though)