I have existing portable apps on my computer that weren't downloaded through the Portable Apps Platform. Can I simply move them into the Portable Apps Platform folder or do I have to download them through the platform in order for the platform to be able to update them?
Yes, you can move them into the PortableApps folder in their own subfolders and use them from the platform; However, as they aren't in PortableApps.com Format, the platform won't update them.
See here: https://portableapps.com/support/platform#addingotherapps
Great, thanks for the reply Gord. Out of curiosity, for apps that are in PortableApps.com format, how does the Portable Apps Platform know which app it is? Is it based on the directory name, executable name, some kind of id embedded in a file, etc?
It's based on the information in the appinfo.ini file, specifically the AppID. Also, the platform knows what file to run based on the Start line.
Brilliant. Thanks Gord.