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[Obsolete] Portable App Creator

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maroesjk
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What to do

I agree that the thread is getting very long. I am working on a newer version of PAC for a few weeks now, which (a.o.) complies more with the "PortableApps.com Format Spec Outline (DRAFT 2)". If I finished that (It's done, when it's done) PAC itself (hopefully) will comply with the outline and I may decide that it's time to put it in "Beta Test".

Time will tell, and any suggestions are welcome...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

Stevoisiak
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Ok

Well, a definite thing to fix is the fact that it doesn't have the feature to install a non installable program. And the ability to use the icon of the main program.

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NoExcuses
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Problems with some installers

If you have already packed up your App as an SFX EXE App then you don't need to use PAC or similar, just create the App dir in your key (i.e.: PA:\PortableApps\MyOwnApp Portable) and copy there the SFX EXE Program. PortableApps Menu just looks inside these dirs for the executables and put them in its menu with the relative icon. I've done something similar with other programs and works flawlessly. Personally I use WinRAR to build up the SFX EXE programs and configure it so that it extracts all files in hidden mode to %TEMP% and then runs from there the relative App. It then removes everything when closed.

I have some problems when running PAC to install certain applications, that after installing them and closing the application it doesn't give back control to PAC, that remains just hanging there. It's necessary to kill the process to get out of it. This happens with commercial apps that probably are applying some protections to this kind of monitoring, but it's happening also with freeware programs like uniextract15.exe that seems doesn't do anything special during the installation. There is any way to get rid of this locks?
I've just D/L the new 1.6b version of uniextract and this one was installing correctly using PAC to launch it.

Hope you'll find the time to take a look to this problem together with the developments of this very nice program, apart the fact that I'm sure you'll have a lot of unsleepy nights when the baby is there, I talk by experience... ;o)

Just kidding. All my best wishes for you and your growing family.

horusofoz
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Quick thanks

Been using this app to port others for a while now and though it doesn't always work I think this is undoubtedly one of the quintessential PA apps. I hope development continues and I'll be downloading the latest update.

Many thanks

Horusofoz

PortableApps.com Advocate

Stevoisiak
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Firefox in Hypercam

I noticed a weird tthing about my portibalized version of hypercam 2. In the environment folder, the only file in the folders (Besides the ones PAC left there) is a firefox profile cache data thing! I have the suspition that even though it uses an installer, it may be portable. Would it be safe to delete the firefox settings and the PAC shortcut file?

Simplifying daily life through technology

maroesjk
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It probably is

I presume you were running Firefox while you installed HyperCam 2. That would explain why you found a piece of the Firefox profile/cache in the HyperCam "Portable" folder. Just delete the appropriate file/folder to the Firefox-file and delete (the corresponding line in) the *.lst file. I guess all will still work fine.

Of course you could also try to delte the PAC shortcut-file, but in that case you'll have to move HyperCam 2 to a folder where the PortableAppsMenu can find it!

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

Dr._Mike
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Backpack for Distance Learning

PAC Community--help!

I'm admin for a distance learning college that uses Blackboard to teach classes to our online students. We provide an application called Agilix Backpack for our students to download and participate in classes while offline, then upload their assignments and discussions. This app works great at home where users have admin privileges. Unfortunately, it can't be installed on our locked-down machines across our global campus because it makes a registry change. The app's developer has given us permission to make and redistribute a portable version to our students, but I'm in way over my head with PAC.

Anybody interested in helping...send me an email at blackboardadmin@mjhower.com.

Thanks.
Dr. Mike

alpha1
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that sounds like a really

that sounds like a really cool app,
next time could you please provide a link in your post, this time I'll give it to you guys, http://backpack.blackboard.com/

I'm not very good at NSIS but if you need a new logo I'll be happy to give you a Jpeg or 2 (more likely .SVG or .PNG)

umm looking through the site i see that it seems to be payware,therefore not open source, which means it cannot be hosted here, although a launcher can.

is there like a free version of it or is it only payware?

also for a similar program, for note-taking, try Evernote, which is free
Evernote.com

EDIT: you should probably ask a mod to move this to the "REQUEST APPS" forums instead of getting OT on this topic, even though it does mention PAC

Lead, Follow, or get out of the way.

horusofoz
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@ maroesjk

Is it possible that when you update this app you could please put a note saying when the you did. A small thing but with a date it would be easier to see what version is available. I have been using PAC for some time now but have no idea how outdated it is. Many thanks

PortableApps.com Advocate

maroesjk
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PAC Date

I could put a note with PAC which date I released the version, but you could also tell it by looking at the date in the scripts (*.au3-files). Next, the most recent version have an information-icon at the bottom-left side of the GUI when you run "Portable App Creator.exe". Hovering over it displays the version-number and the date you compiled it.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

horusofoz
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Cheers :o)

Cheers :o)

PortableApps.com Advocate

Stevoisiak
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Grammer fixes

I have a few fixes for the readme.

It said the app is useful for those who have a PA drive. So I cannot use these apps if I have a flashdrive without the menu, or a U3 drive.

In the first paragraph of the story behind PAC, you should say you made portable versions of the app, not PortableApp versions.

In the first paragraph, you say "I", but in the second on, you say "the author of this program". Try to stay consistant.

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Th3F4113n0n3
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No Shortcut Created

I just tried to create a portable App of Unreal Tournament 2k4. When I did the run it said it completed it and it created the folders correctly with all the information need but it didn't create the .EXE for the PortableApp Menu. How can I create one that will work? Is there something that I am missing on this or not. I followed the instructions to a "t" and got nothing for the shortcut. I even double checked the readme just to be safe.

I am running Windows XP SP2

Edited: I already made one app before with no problem and I flowed the same instructions for that.

Sometimes the only people right in this world, are the ones always doing things wrong. Then again that just makes alot of wrong people.

Th3F4113n0n3
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Possible Reason.

I may have figured out why the .exe wasn't created. I just recreated the problem with a different app. The problem was that I thought I selected the .ico file for the Icon but instead I had all files on and selected the .exe which game the error,

Wrong file type or currupted icon file

After I said okay it said the program was completed but it didn't create the .exe. I would almost grauntee that is why I don't have the exe. Is there a way to create the exe after the fact? or am I hosed?

Sometimes the only people right in this world, are the ones always doing things wrong. Then again that just makes alot of wrong people.

Wookie
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Hi I have just tried this

Hi

I have just tried this with Xilisoft iPod Video Converter and once I'd figured things out the conversion seemed to go ok however on double clicking the app I get this error and nothing happens....

Line -1:
Error: Unknown option or bad parameter specified

It's an AutoIt Error

Looking at the reg and ini files under the environment folder I see the drive specified as 'PA'. I was wondering if this was an Portable Apps menu specific code and if there is a way to convert the files for general use?

Has anyone got any thoughts?

BTW this is not using the PortableApps menu as I need a more discrete menu (PStart - not that I have bothered trying to launch it from there as direct launching does not work anyway Smile ).

mig21
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Same problem

I have the same problem

Any sujenstion

MTC

Th3F4113n0n3
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Change Location

I had a Question as to why it places a folder called portableapps right in the top level of the drive I'm using for my portable apps. My portable apps menu is in

E:/Black Drive/Programs/PortableApps/

and the PortableApps Menu looks in this folder for the .exe icons. It would be nice if you made it so that we could tell it the directory we want it to place the App we are creating. I noticed I get the error:

Line -1:
Error: Unknown option or bad parameter specified

if I try to move the folder from the E:/portableapps/ folder to my directory. Maybe that's the problem, I don't know.

Sometimes the only people right in this world, are the ones always doing things wrong. Then again that just makes alot of wrong people.

maroesjk
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See what you mean

O.K. never thought of that... At the moment, the launcher is referring to an absolute path on the PA-drive (or, if that wasn't found, the drive it's being launched from). But, after your remark, I see that it being relative to the place where the launcher is, does have its advantages (however, it also has disadvantages, like it should be a subfolder relative to the launcher's folder)...

I'll think about what's best to do... (no promises yet)

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

MichaelTaylor
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Bug report ...

Since this is still a Beta, I assume you're still looking for bugs. That said, I'm not sure this is the intended forum for bugs ... but I've got one.

I extracted the PAC archive and run the installer. The installer went out and downloaded AutoIt. Immediately after that, I get a pop-up saying:
"[PATH]\PAC\files\autoit-v3-sfx.exe is not a valid Win32 application."

I click OK and another pops up saying:
"Line-1:
Error:
[FIVE UNRENDERABLE CHARACTERS]"

I click OK from there and the app exits without installing.

I'm running WinXP, Service Pack 2.

Please let me know if this is the wrong forum for this sort of thing.

maroesjk
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Error

It looks like downloading AutoIt (autoit-v3-sfx.exe) was interrupted by something and went wrong. Could you try deleting autoit-v3-sfx.exe and run "PAC Compiler" again?

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

tampaba1
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Line -1: Error: Unknown option or bad parameter specified

Any word yet on what to do about this problem. I'm a real newbie when it comes to this and a little direction would really help. Thanks.

xxsirioxx
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First Thank you so much for

First Thank you so much for PAC... I need this option too, so the app can be REALLY portable... The drive letter on some pc can change, for me is better to have the launcher refer the path relative to the place where the launcher is...

I've tryed to modify your script...with no success... Can you please explain me how to do that? Or just send me a modified .au3 script??

Thank you very very much

maroesjk
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Portable App Creator (0·97 beta)

The previous version of PAC has been downloaded far more than 2,200 times, since it was released five months ago. The most recent changes are mostly based on suggestions of people in this thread and/or because of changes in the functionality of AutoIt. Listed are all changes for version 0·97 beta:

  • Behavioral changes in the routines of PAC Compiler, because of functional changes in the last AutoIt version(s).
  • Changed Portable App Creator and Portable App Shortcut to work for all portable devices, not requiring the PortableAppsMenu anymore. Because of that, Portable App Creator now always assume that it is running from the portable drive you’ll install an application to. However, this is easily changed on the welcome-screen.
  • Portable App Creator now will always show a window to browse for files, instead of having it typed.
  • Portable App Creator now will detect the icon of the application (being) installed and suggests to use the same icon for the launcher. If the application (being) installed is ancient 16-bit software, the icon of PAC will be used.
  • Changed the scripts, icons and folder structure to get it more or less in line with the PortableApps.Com Format Spec Outline (draft 2).

You can now download Portable App Creator 0·97 beta from RapidShare or MediaFire (MD5: 2EF42B3338492CE7BAD8AC5A95838311, only 341 kB). Please see the readme-file supplied with this package to find out what you need to do before you can use "Portable App Creator", the limitations of PAC and instructions on its usage. You may also want to watch the video demo (4.180 MB) I created using an older version of PAC.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

hermanater17
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New beta is amazing! I tried

New beta is amazing! I tried using the previous version and was unsuccessful, this one works great though. Just one problem, when i try installing Tunatic (http://www.wildbits.com/tunatic/) as soon as i select the exe file to create the shortcut PAC fails and shuts down. Any other program i have tried works just wondering if you might know why this one fails. Thanks and keep up the great work.

maroesjk
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Reproducing your problem

I tried to reproduce the error you encountered by installing Tunatic on my PortableApps-Drive, but all works fine for me. So, right now, I have no clue what could go wrong in your situation...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

hermanater17
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I did it again with my other

I did it again with my other computer running XP and it worked perfectly so it might just be a Vista issue. Thanks again.

will2710
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location of launcher

I'm using .97 beta and I was following along with the video demo but I'm confused about the step for "Shortcut Information". This dialog is asking for the location of the launcher but the video and the readme doesn't cover that aspect.

Sorry, I'm a bit new and still figuring this all out. I thought PAC created the launcher but clearly I've missed something.

Will

mackcab
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something wrong

Hi, I've been using PAC since last dec. It's really a useful tool.
Thanks for your effort~!

I've tried 0.97 beta, however, I don't understand the step that ask for the location of the application to run and that ask for the location of the application launcher. Should I decide the name of the launcher and where it will be located? I tried, but it didn't create a launcher for me. What should be the correct procedure? Thanks~

btw, I'm using XP

mackcab
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problem solved

Don't know if its known or not.

I found that pac uses files IN THE COMPUTER that the pac compiler downloaded for compiling pac... that's why I encountered the problem... I compiled pac in a machine and moved on the another machine for making programs portable...

Hope someone see this post if its not known yet...

maroesjk
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Shouldn't be the problem

All 3rd-party apps PAC uses (some files of autoit and regshot) are embedded in PAC when compiled. PAC itself is programmed to be fully portable. So I don't know how thorough you tested / examined your problem, but the fact that you're using PAC on a computer on which it isn't compiled shouldn't be a problem as far as I know...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

kriidler
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Can I ask a big favour?

I can't seem to download PAC from either of the sites you give. (my isp is probably blocking them... :-))

If you would be so kind and email it to me?

Just add (at) mailmate (dot) co (dot) za to my user name.

Thanks
K
[edit] no need to email the app to me anymore. Ta

... hmmm?
oh ... kay ...
... ah!

tampaba1
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Re: I did it again with my other

I had the same issue with Vista but, it works great with XP.

Thanks maroesjk for the update.

maroesjk
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You're welcome

I guess something must go wrong in the routine to extract the icon (because that's the only big change made). Does PAC always fail as soon as you picked the executable that the launcher should run on Vista, or just with certain programs?

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

tampaba1
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Does PAC always fail on Vista?

For some reason PAC just doesn't complete the operation on Vista. It will go through the entire process until you reach the end then it stops, hangs up , or produces corrupt files. I've tried running in XP compatability mode but, to no avail. Like I said before, though, it works great on my XP computer.

The only issue I have is being a newbie. Sometimes, I get a little confused and most of the tutorials I've found only make matters worse, lol.

Thanks, again, for such a great program.

silentcon
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Is this better than the

Is this better than the PortableApps Template?

digitxp
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The

PAT and PAC are different:

  • The PAT is basicaller a template to make a launcher, while
  • The PAC is a wizard to make launchers...

Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.

Warhawk
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Wow, this program is

Wow, this program is amazing!
Thank you so much!

I've used it for so many small, and some large programs.
I even managed to make a 1.1 gig game portable. Biggrin

I haven't encountered any problems yet, using xp.

Warhawk
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Not portable?

Only gripe I have is it's not very portable, it leaves behind a few mb's of .exe and other files from regshot and the autoit applications.

Is there someway to make the program that makes programs portable, portable? Smile

maroesjk
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Portable

PAC is portable on my system(s). The last two steps PAC take are closing regshot and removing the temporary folder it uses. If that doesn't work on your system(s) I'll have to see how to reprogram that part...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

GoodCreditRocks
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Wow, that sounds great! I'll

Wow, that sounds great! I'll have to try this!!

NoExcuses
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Problems with PAC

I've tried to build up a Portable version of Advanced Uninstaller 9.5 with PAC 0.96b4, but even if it creates in the Environment dir the entries to create some files in %allusersprofile% when runned, the Portable version doesn't copy there the expected files. If I copy them manually, the program works, and closing it, it deletes the relative dir and subdirs, but it doesn't copy them back when runned again. Seeing that there is a new version of PAC, I've downloaded, compiled and tested the same program with this, but with 0.97 there are some other problems. First, when I select the installer program that lies on my Desktop, in the previous version the file name was remaining all on one line in the box, with the left part of the path hidden, with .97 it shows it on two lines, and only a narrow band of the path is shown. Not a big deal, only not so nice to see it in this way, the old one was cleaner. The main problem with .97 is that, when after installing when it comes to select the name of the App to run, selecting it, I have a message that says:

"Line: -1 Error: "long_ptr"; "int_ptr" and "short_ptr" DLL Calls () have been deprecated. Use "long*", "int*" and "short*" instead."

and then the program crashes without completing the job. Now, I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if the autoit version I'm using is not good for this, as it's the last one that you can download from their site. BTW, I've tested it trying to build up a Portable version of another program (nLite), and I have the same error at the same point, so it seems a problem with PAC .97 or my PC.

Hope this helps to find a solution for this problem. Apart this, your program is great. Thanks for making it.

Another thing that I think it should be different is the compression with UPX. From my point of view it should be deselected by default, but that's is a personal opinion, I think.

maroesjk
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answer

First of all, I also noticed the cosmetic glitch with the multiline path(s) to the executables. The next version (probably 0·97·1) will address that. It will become a single line again, with a on-mouse-over tooltip to show the complete path.

Next, could you tell me what OS you are using and which AutoIt version is installed on your system. I'd like to try to reproduce your problem and try to solve it...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

NoExcuses
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Well, the cosmetic glitch is

Well, the cosmetic glitch is not so important, but it was nicer as it was before, and we want nice things, not only useful... ;o)
I'm using Windows XP Home SP-3, and the AutoIt version is the last one downloaded from their site, v3.2.12.1. I've not installed it, but the Compiler finds it and does the regular Creator. It works correctly with .96b4, BTW, I'm not so dumb I must say, and modifying your sources I've changed by myself the UPX feature. It was enough to think, hard job in these days... ;o)
Another thing, It would be nice to be able to create Apps that can be started from anywhere you want, just a relative position. I don't know if it's how .97 does it, as I've never been able to use it, but having the program considering the start position where the Launcher is, and supposing that App and Environment are in the same location will make it a lot easier to run them from anywhere they are stored. But maybe you have already made it in this way.
Many thanks and keep up with the good job!

ERDi
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Hi maroesjk! Nice app! I'd

Hi maroesjk!

Nice app! I'd love to make EAC and Mumble portable, still I fail at selecting the launcher, what do I have to do at this point of the modification?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Stevoisiak
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Grammer

You didn't fix the grammer issues I pointed out earlier. D:

Simplifying daily life through technology

NoExcuses
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PAC 0.97 Problems

Well, looks like the problems I was having with my first try of 0.97 were depending of a corrupted downloaded file. I have re-downloaded it and the version built up with this one is not giving me anymore the previous error. Apart the glitches in showing the selected file in two rows as mentioned before, glitch that shows with all the boxes where you have selected a path name.
Another thing that I think was at least better in the .96b4 is where to input the Launcher Path. In the old version in the box there was already a " Portable" written inside, so you were just having to type the missing part of the App name, where in the .97 version it opens a Requester and you have to go and choose the dir where to save it and then type the entire name for the launcher. In the old version it was taking by default that it was going in the first level of your install Dir and that the name was the same given to the install Dir. That's the standard naming that almost 99% of the users will use, it'll be nice to have it as a default with the possibility to modify it if you want.
Another problem that I've seen and that is happening also in the previous version, is that if during the installation the Setup program that you want to make portable creates some files in %allusersprofile%\App Data\[some other dirs and subdirs], it will copy the relative files and paths in the Data (or in the old Environment) dir of your Portable app, but when runned on a clean machine, it will not copy these dirs and files in the relative system positions, so the Portable program doesn't find them. If I copy them manually, and then I run the Portable program it finds and uses them, and then when you close it, it deletes the dirs as it was supposed to do. The problem is that if you run again the program it will not find again these files unless you have copied them by hand. There is a problem somewhere but I'm not able to understand where, I was checking your sources and they look OK to me, but I'm not a programmer so my opinion is useless for this.
Apart these little problems that we hope will be fixed in the next version, your program is very useful. Thanks for sharing it with us and keep up with the good work.

App Guy
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Launcher

It says you have to browse for the launcher but I don't have one. How would that work?

May the Shwartz be with you

NoExcuses
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Launcher

You should type the complete Launcher name by yourself. Slightly different from the previous version, before it was already typing the " Portable" part.

NoExcuses
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PAC .97

It looks like we are not able to write back some files if they are going to be in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data and after, and looks like that also trying to do that from a simple batch file Windows doesn't allow to do that. There is any way to circumvent this lock? I'm not so smart with this things, but if I copy these files using Drag & Drop it works, from a PAC-ed App or from a Batch Script no way...

maroesjk
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Looking in to it

I reproduced the problem you mention on the "all users profile" and am working on it. I'll see if I can find out why it isn't working as it should...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

NoExcuses
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PAC Restoring files

I have also a program that writes a couple of .ini files in C:\WINDOWS, and PAC isn't considering them, as it looks like its not supposing that someone will write something there. I'v tried to add to my data dir the missing files and modify the .lst file to use them but the Portable Launcher crashes. Any way to have also these files copied in the right place, apart doing it with a Batch file? They find always something different to drive me crazy with their programs...

maroesjk
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Windows

In the past, I thought quite some time if I'd want the %windir% to be monitored as well. Then I decided not to because (1) software shouldn't place files in the %windir% according to me and (2) most software obey the first rule Wink I've even put a note on that in the readme!

However, you can easily adapt the scripts for taking the %windir% in account. Just add one value (so that'll be 6) to $EnvArray and $EnvGetAr in both "Portable App Creator.au3" and "Portable App Shortcut.au3" and recompile.

If you want to do that, the arrays should be re-defined (you can find them at line 19 for both scripts) as following:
$EnvArray[6] = [5, 'system32', 'allusersprofile', 'userprofile', 'commonprogramfiles', 'windir']
$EnvGetAr[6] = [5, EnvGet($EnvArray[1]), EnvGet($EnvArray[2]), EnvGet($EnvArray[3]), EnvGet($EnvArray[4]), EnvGet($EnvArray[5])]

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

NoExcuses
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Thanks, I've done it and

Thanks, I've done it and compiled again the PAC. Now I've only to remember which one was the crappy program that was writing in %windir%...

silentcon
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Why not upload the video on

Why not upload the video on Youtube, etc. Maybe people might discover your PAC.

kriidler
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Thanks for a great app.

Thanks for this great app! It can even be run on Slackware Linux 11.0 using WINE!
2 questions: when's PAC going to use Draft 3 and how does one make an app portable with PAC if it's got more than 1 exe file?

... hmmm?
oh ... kay ...
... ah!

balleklo
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Anyone able to help a newbie?

Hello all. I am new to all this portable stuff, but I learn quickly, and I HAVE spent a lot of time seaching and reading these forums to try myself to find solutions to my problem, but without any luck, so as a last option I try to ask here for help.

I am into "mindmapping" and are very eager to get VisualMind from http://www.visual-mind.com/index.php portable. IF I can make it portable I will buy it.

I have a trial version currently expired, but it still works exerpt the fact it is no longer possible to save the mindmaps. This however is no problem, as it does not stop the program from running, or installing.

I have used PAC as described, and installed to USB drive x:\PortableApps\VisualMindPortable\App
All went well, and PAC created the laucher and all directories as it was supposed to.
When portableapp creation was finished, I then safely removed the portable drive, and then used Revo Uninstaller to unistall any traces of the VisualMind program from my computer. Then I mounted the drive, started newly created Visual Mind Portable from the geek.menu, and got the following error message:

"User directory (C:\Documents and Settings\[USERNAME]\Application Data\Mind Technologies\Visual Mind 10)is missing. Stopping application"

(My actual username is here substituted by [USERNAME]

I then went in to the USB stick, and copied X:\PortableApps\VisualMindPortable\Data\userprofile\Application Data\Mind Technologies\Visual Mind 10\ and it's subfolders into C:\Documents and Settings\[USERNAME]\Application Data\.......and VIOLA,the portablized program then started as normal.

So my question is:
Does anyone know what might have gone wrong with the creation of this portable app, since it does not seem to recognise the user directory is now located in the USB Stick instead of in the hostOS Application Data folder?

It currently works the way that on every computer I will use the program, I will first have to copy over that user directory from the stick and into the host computer before I start the program, and then delete the folder after I am finished, but this does not work exactly "portable". So I would appreciate any help, at least to TRY to fix it, if possible?

Anyone able to, or interested in helping?

I am aware that as a newbie I myself may be the one to blame, I may have done something wrong, or at least forgot something important. But also the explanation COULD be that this is just the behavior of "some apps" that make them troublesom to make portable. Could this program be one of "those". And if so, what can I possibly do to try to fix it?

solanus
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Not sure what went wrong, but

have you tried Freemind as a mind mapping app?
It's Open Source, and there's a test version available here .
This is the beta version of 0.90, but it's quite stable. The portable version is by our own rab040ma, so you should search this site for Freemind, too.
Keep your eye out for the official release, since the original developer has just put out Freemind 0.90 RC1.
Personally, I've been using Freemind since 0.8, and I like it better than the MindJet product, although I haven't used Visual Mind.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

balleklo
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Thanks for pointing to FreeMind

Hi solanus, and happy new year.

Thanks for pointing to FreeMind. I will test it. However, I am a bit stubburn, so when I try to learn something, then I continue trying....hehe. So I will continue working and asking for help in order to see if it is possible to get VisualMind portable also. The process of trying to make something work is for me as satisfying as solving any other "puzzle". I am not so good at neither english language or computer programming, so beeing a newbie at both just gives me a lot of "puzzles" to work on Smile

maroesjk
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Portable App Creator 0·97·1 beta

The previous version of PAC has been downloaded far more than 2,500 times, since it was released. Only a few enhancements now, still working on some things the users mentioned here... Listed are all changes for version 0·97·1 beta:

  • Minor visual and behavioral changes in Portable App Creator
  • Excluded all “temp” folders from being processed by Portable App Creator
  • Portable App Shortcut now creates the folder structures if necessary

You can now download Portable App Creator 0·97·1 beta at RapidShare or MegaUpload (MD5: D22E7C2640A7BAAAB03C0575DE99498A, only 359 kB). PAC has its limitations, so not everybody can use it and/or it won't work with all software. Please see the readme-file supplied with this package to find out what you need to do before you can use "Portable App Creator" and/or watch the video demo (4.180 MB) I created using an older version of PAC.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

silentcon
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can you upload it on

can you upload it on mediafire? Rapidshare and MegaUpload are sometimes unreliable.

horusofoz
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...

*cough*Often Unreliable*cough*

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silentcon
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Especially on people who

Especially on people who don't have Premium Rapidshare and Megaupload accounts.

silentcon
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Regarding your video demo

A guy named scottiebee1972 uploaded a video using your Portableapp Creator. Is it your video demo that he uploaded or is it his video he created on his own.

maroesjk
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Seems to be my video

It seems to be the demo I created, uploaded to YouTube...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

jellyome
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Man what a mess

Auto it is not to be distributed, but who is actual going to stop you from doing it if you have a look online their are many other websites. advertising mods to autoit. so it doesn't realy matter

maroesjk
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Distribution of AutoIt

What you are saying is quite true, but the rules on "PortableApps.com" prohibit distribution of any software that isn't fully open-source. Since AutoIt is closed-source, I cannot put it in the package while using this forum.
So that's the real reason I do not embed AutoIt directly.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

maroesjk
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Portable App Creator 0·97·2 beta

A minor update again... The previous version was downloaded about 1,000 times in 5 days! Only a few enhancements now, still working on some things the users mentioned here... Listed are all changes for version 0·97·1 and 0·97·2 beta:

  • Minor visual and behavioral changes in Portable App Creator
  • Excluded all “temp” folders from being processed by Portable App Creator
  • Portable App Shortcut now creates the folder structures if necessary
  • Improved routine to delete folder structures created by Portable App Shortcut
  • Created a “FileWait” routine (possible manual addition to the ini-file), in order to make Portable App Shortcut wait for an extra process to close (see the readme file for more info)

You can now download Portable App Creator 0·97·2 beta at RapidShare or MediaFire (MD5: E869405E7DEB27814699DEEE7749CCBC, only 362 kB). PAC has its limitations, so not everybody can use it and/or it won't work with all software. Please see the readme-file supplied with this package to find out what you need to do before you can use "Portable App Creator" and/or watch the video demo I created using an older version of PAC at RapidShare (4.180 MB) or YouTube.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

silentcon
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Thanks for the Mediafire

Thanks for the Mediafire link.

horusofoz
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Mediafire problem for logged users

Hi

Just a heads up. The Mediafire link doesn't appear to work if you are logged into mediafire from your own account. If you change the link to the direct download link eg - http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?kq3rzg1wttz - should work fine.

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maroesjk
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Your link points to a picture

Your link points to a PNG-picture, not the uploaded beta of PAC...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

horusofoz
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I know

Thats a link in my mediafire account. I meant that is the link type you need to copy from your mediafire account.

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maroesjk
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Changed the link

I changed the link to MediaFire in the opening-post...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

SilentWalker
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hi...got a problem

im trying to use this to make Assault Cube v1.02 portable and when i reach the get shortcuts stage, i select the assault cube batch file (there is no *.exe) and as soon as i click OK or open or whatever in the get application location, PAC stops working and crashes. I tried it 5 times and the same thing occurred.

I'm running Vista Ultimate and have UAC disabled.

Also can I use PAC on my school computer or will it screw up and crash the network? Don't worry about the school policies or whatev, just will it mess anything up
(like reg-wise and stuff)?

Oh...and the 3rd stage of PAC...just under the one above where u select the launcher location....what is it? Is that where you want to make the portable launcher on your flash drive? if not...what is it?

maroesjk
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using a bat

Never actually tried to use a batch as a launcher, but looking at the source code, I think I already know what goes wrong. I'll examine your problem and see if I can fix it in a future version.

Using PAC on a school computer shouldn't corrupt anything. PAC doesn't put anything in the registry, just in the temporary folder (and those files will be deleted on PAC exit). But of course when you're installing something to build your Portable App you're probably leaving traces!

And yes, in the 3rd stage the 2nd box for the file-location is the location to the Portable Launcher!

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

SilentWalker
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Thanks so much

to tell you the truth, that's the clearest I've ever got since I joined PortableApps.com 9 weeks ago

horusofoz
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BAT2EXE Converter

I don't if this will work but I thought I'd suggest it so those more knowing could comment on whether it would work. You could try using BAT2EXE converter and then re-PACing Assault Cube with the Converted EXE. Before trying this though I would recommend waiting till those more knowledgeable weigh in their thoughts.

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SilentWalker
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i did that...

i did that 3 out of the 5 times. thanks for the suggestion though.

horusofoz
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Thread bug

Just noticed that when you click to see new comments from the recent posts page that it just takes you to the first page of your thread rather than the new post. Not sure if this is a bug in drupal caused by having 400+ posts in the one thread but this happens on three different pcs from three different locations for me. It may be worth starting a new thread and linking it to this one? First though can anyone else confirm this issue.

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Schaum
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IncrediMail

Hello,
I start to try to make a portable version of IncrediMail.
If I want to install via the App Creator, I can not choose the installation folder.
Do you have any idea how I can make IncrediMail portable?

micm
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Maybe this will help...

I started using PAC after mucking around for several hours, trying with no success to get things working using the Portable App Template, &/or modding existing launchers. Since then I've used PAC to create several launchers successfully using this method...

With the system itself clean -- won't work if the app's already been installed unless you're certain you've ferreted out every reg entry etc -- & after a reg backup with ERUNT, I run Installwatch Pro, installing whatever normally & then firing the new program up. This gives a record of every new or changed file (in monitored folders), as well as complete (exportable as reg file) records on any registry changes. At this point all the program's files are packaged up and copied to the Portable Apps folder manually -> unless it's an open-source program fitting within the guidelines here at PortableApps.com, I'm not going to build an installer or anything... I just want the app on the stick where I'll use it. Wink If there are any files installed outside of the program folder, with the important exception of anything in Documents/settings, I include those with the program too. Then I try to run the program from the USB stick just to see if it'll start.

At that point -- assuming I didn't have to do any troubleshooting to get the program working on the stick -- I restore the registry backup, & rename or delete any files the program added, & now delete or rename any added folders in the doc & settings folder (usually under Application Data). Now I'll use PAC, pointing it to the program's .exe file [...PortableApps\*ProgramName*\Apps\*CopiedProgramFolder*\*ProgramName*.exe ], then taking the 1st snapshot, starting the app, choosing an icon & setting the launcher name/location (step titled: "Get Shortcut Info"), open the program a 2nd time & change options or save settings or use the app to make sure any doc & settings folders/files get created, then take the 2nd shot, & finally Process Shots. Now I go off track...

Letting PAC alone I go to the Windows' temp folder where PAC has a new reg file waiting... Making a backup of this file, I double check it & edit it as needed based on the records I made using InstallWatch Pro. I've found some programs that either are flaky, writing to reg keys they have no biz writing to, or RegShot gets it wrong. At any rate, now's your 1 change to get this reg file right, 'cause after PAC's done you can't edit the new reg file it'll create.

Now I'll go back to PAC, perform the last step of creating the launcher, make sure the app starts, & again restore the registry backup using ERUNT -- PAC will capture writing to the registry, but it won't prevent it. I'll also double check & make sure no Doc & Settings files/folders were created etc, making the PC as clean as possible. Now I'll fire up either Regshot or InstallWatch Pro, & try the new app with the new launcher -- if it worked, with no new reg keys/values or files/folders added, that way I'll know it.

maroesjk
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Interesting

The work-around you suggest sounds interesting, but still I wonder why it won't work just using PAC... I really have to test that. But thanks for your explanation. The thing you pointed out that the system should be without traces of the app to install is very important. It's also in the readme, but I fear a lot of people do not read that Wink

Note: you can still (manually) edit PAC's regfile, but though its called *.reg, it has a bit of an other format than normal reg-files...

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

micm
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Thanks

"you can still (manually) edit PAC's regfile, but though its called *.reg, it has a bit of an other format than normal reg-files..."

It could just be this machine of course (probably is), something or other that I've got installed, but I get an error trying to run the new program launcher when/if I edit the reg file that PAC puts in the Data folder. I've tried it with a few apps to make sure it wasn't just a one-time affair.

"...but still I wonder why it won't work just using PAC..."

It does work most of the time. But I had a bit of an oddball situation yesterday for example when I was working on/with an app called Multiset... (It was a 1 day Giveaway [http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/] I thought might be interesting to play with for putting OS etc install files on flash cards)

The program itself was supposed to be portable already (the developer(s) said just put it on a stick), & it was in the sense that it didn't require anything in the registry -- it just tried to write to it. I was afraid that I couldn't accurately use PAC on the app's set-up file, since it was modded to phone home to make sure it would only install on that one day (& their normal trial set-up wouldn't work with the key file given). Using RegShot, the program also allegedly altered irrelevant reg keys/values every time it ran - seemingly random key/values from other software (Roxio & Nero Suites) I had installed. PAC uses RegShot, & came up with similar results. While I'm 99% sure that wouldn't effect anything on a machine without Roxio &/or Nero, that remaining 1% doubt prompted me to get rid of the extra baggage in the reg file PAC came up with.

I also find PAC incredibly useful for not just putting programs on an USB stick, but isolating them on my hard drives... Especially with a lot of the video utilities I try, which I've found not only add to registry bloat, but interfere with one another. Before I started using PAC I'd monitor any installation necessary using InstallWatch Pro [when I can get away with it I just use Universal Extractor to avoid the often huge number of reg changes from the install routines, & monitor the registry for changes the 1st time I start the app]. Then I'd save the critical reg entries, restore the registry from backup, and more or less be a good part of the way to a PAC PortableApps setup already. I've started using PAC to take things a final step further.

I could of course be wrong, but I figure some variation of the approach I posted might come in handy when/if anyone else has a problem using PAC the normal way on whatever particular app -- solely as more a last resort when/if nothing else has worked. I honestly don't expect anyone to share my bad habit of going to such lengths to minimize Windows & registry clutter. ;?P

reddragon
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PAC won't work for me

I downloaded PAC onto my pc and it won't work. It won't even finish processing the first snapp shot. It like freezes or something. I would like some help I. What I did wrong.

maroesjk
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RegShot

Have you read the readme file? Could the limitations regarding RegShot (only works on Vista without UAC on and/or on 32-bit OSs) be the problem? If not, I'll definitely need some extra info on your systems OS (x-bit, os-version, language, etcetera), otherwise I wouldn't know where to start looking for the problem/solution.

There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand Binary and those who don't.

REZOR
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Filesystem

How to make portable program not depending in which folder compiled exe is placed
How to move folder with created app into other folders in flash drive(which was created after portable app Portable App Shortcut?

kriidler
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AutoIt error with PAC 0.97 beta 2

Hi.

1 small prob: I've got 2 users on my xp pc. If user1 creates a "portable app" on the c drive, user2 can't use it, even if it's in c:\PortableApps\. PAC seems to "hard code" the user's folder into the .reg file in the Data folder.

If I try to change this manually I get this AutoIt error:
Line -1:
Error: Array variable has incorrect number of subscripts or subscript dimension range exceeded.

Can anyone tell me how to I fix this?

Thanks.

... hmmm?
oh ... kay ...
... ah!

kiriko
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How to move a PoratbleApp to another location with no problem.

All that you need to do is to find the .ini file that is located in the Data folder of your already made portableapp. The .ini file is going to have the name of the application in this case i made (All Office Converter Platinum Portable) so my .ini file name is Converter.ini. Open it and only chage the location name that is in front of the app name in this case remove the word (PortableApps) in the line that says Folder = and replace it with (\Program Files\)save it and you are now done. This will make it work in you're C drive with no problem. Just make sure to install the app for all users and not for single user or it wont work properly on any computer.

I hope that this helps out. Please let me know if it does help. Smile
___________________________________________________________________________________
This is the original one.

[application]
Drive = PA
Folder = PortableApps\All Office Converter Platinum Poratable\Program
File = Converter.exe

___________________________________________________________________________________
This is what it would look like if it is directly in the Program Files directory.

[application]
Drive = PA
Folder = \Program Files\All Office Converter Platinum Poratable\Program
File = Converter.exe

___________________________________________________________________________________
This is what it would look like if it is directly in the C:\ drive and not in the program Files directory.

[application]
Drive = PA
Folder = \All Office Converter Platinum Poratable\Program
File = Converter.exe

kiriko
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Suggestion

I think that the best way to make portableapps is to have a custom template made and then we can just fill in the blanks with the new program information that’s going to be the new portableapp (s) this way there's is no mistakes made and we can all follow general application format and installation method with miner mistakes. Unlike the portableapps maker at the moment that won’t let you move the app without you making a shortcut to the main .exe file in the program folder.

This is only going to be possible if some one does make a new portableapp maker that is based on Freeware or Opensorce under the GPL. This also has to work in both Windows XP and Windows Vista systems.

I would do it but I am not a programmer, sorry about that but thank you very much to the one that does makes it possible for the rest of us. Smile

NoExcuses
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Relative Path

There is any way to configure PAC making it use a relative path command similar to the %~dp1 used in DOS shell to give the parameters for the various files? If the Portable App Creator uses a parameter like this there is no need to take care of PA and other things, everything is related to the position where you run the Portable Program.
Unfortunately I'm more or less a dog when it comes to programming, so I can only hope that you find this idea realizable. It will make life a lot easier to anybody trying to build a Portable App from my point of view...
Best regards...

Maxinc
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What you need to edit in the

What you need to edit in the Portable App Creator 0 97 2 beta, so you can run the portable application is received from any folder on any drive? Ie, to become truly portable application portable. Or might have the opportunity to edit the ini - file in the folder Data replacing the absolute path for a short? For example, instead of PA:\PortableApps\All Office Converter Platinum Poratable\Program\Converter.exe use the path \Program\Converter.exe on the launcher?

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