How can I download offline apps, not an installer, just a ZIP or whatever, I don't care about updates and whatever.
I do not want an online installer that downloads the app, that defeats the purpose.
I just want the offline pure offline app that runs offline.
I want to get around this, I don't like it: "This is an online installer that will download Firefox during setup".
Offline you, I mean thank you.
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When you see an online installer, it's because the publisher does not permit bundling the app within a portable package. Google Chrome, Skype, uTorrent, etc, you'll see all of these have an online installer. If you see anyone else bundling these in a portable package, they're doing it illegally. And there's a decent chance there's some nasty stuff in it as well.
Apps that are open source (Pidgin, GIMP, etc), we have all packaged up in the installer. Apps that are open source but where it's not permitted by trademark where we've gotten special permission (Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, etc), we have all packaged in the installer. Apps that are freeware but we've gotten special permission (Wise utilities, Quick games, IrfanView, XnView, etc), we have all packaged in the installer as well.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I'm seconding the request, that having an installer (online or offline) doesn't make any sense.
The point of a portable app is that it's all contained (so it's portable), so it doesn't touch the system in any way. At this point, the only thing needed is a zip file to unpack anywhere and run the app.
The entire concept of an "installer" is a legacy of the unix way of scattering programs' files all over the place. Then the magnificent windows registry entered the picture to add insult to injury.
The installation step is an overcomplication of something that would be otherwise super easy. Apps that claims to be portable, do not need any installer of any sort.
Since I want apps to be portable, I am AGAINST portableapps' approach.
If you are a developer of any app, please make your app actually portable. Release any installer that you want, as complicated and dependent as you want, but also release a simple zip archive with a version of the app that doesn't leave anything on the system. Thanks.
If you are a user, make your voice be heard.
As stated above, including an app like Google Chrome, CCleaner, etc in either a ZIP or an installer we package ourselves would be illegal. Any sites doing that are doing it illegally.
As for the other reasons for doing an installer, there are many. And many were learned the hard way by both me and by users in the form of issues needing support going all the way back to 2004 when I created the first modern portable app, Portable Firefox as a zip file. You can read the list here: https://portableapps.com/about/what_is_a_portable_app#whypaf
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
ok