is it possible to make a program that will convert a normal app to a portable apps format. i hope that makes since
New: Kanri (Oct 09, 2024), Platform 29.5.3 (Jun 27, 2024)
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New: Kanri (Oct 09, 2024), Platform 29.5.3 (Jun 27, 2024)
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Please donate today
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This has been asked many times before, you cant make apps suddenly portable by using a program because apps are sooo different.
Please search before asking.
EG: App A needs 3 registry calls, places a file in App Data, and uses 2 hardcoded paths.
App B has no registry calls, writes 7 files to Windows folder, installs 3 drivers, requires administrator privelages, and has 1 hardcoded path.
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Linux: Because rebooting is for adding hardware
...App C is run through Universal Extractor & uncompressed to a directory of my choice, and runs fine, without even a hitch, despite that it was designed to be "installed".
Quite likely the app's publisher didn't even realize they'd so designed the app as to be able to run portably with simply the assistance of the right program.
1) Get Universal Extractor here:
http://www.legroom.net/software/uniextract
2) Pity the poor schmucks who spent all that time coming up with an install routine for their app, when they coulda all been out having a beer to celebrate the early(er) completion of their project.
Dilbert lives!......
"I don't hate cats...as long as they stay on the freeway, where they belong."
- Brad Stine
It doesn't work with every app, in fact, not with most.
However, I do use this to extract apps from their installers then test them. It ensures that the installer doesn't create anything unneeded.
Also, it's relatively simple to make an installer, especially with NSIS and wizards that are available.
Dilbert FTW!
----
Ryan McCue
Current Fav. Songs:
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Currently I am designing a program that will make apps portable. What it will do is find registry settings and make a custom nsis script for making the app portable, So far I'm still at the drawing board but hoping to go into production
your friendly neighbourhood moderator Zach Thibeau
On the contrary, ryan, I've found in my usage that probably about half - if not more (mebbe I shoulda kept written records of this - heck, maybe I will in the future) of the things I've thrown at UE have been successfully extracted and in full working order. That right there is worth the price of admission, as it were.
Btw, what does "FTW" mean?...
-Preacher
"Jesus Christ didn't die to make you a self-centered religionist. He died so that you and I could stop living for ourselves, and start living for others.
Courage is the highest expression of humility. It is coming to that place where we say to God 'Father, my life is not about me; it's about You' "
- Erwin McManus
"I don't hate cats...as long as they stay on the freeway, where they belong."
- Brad Stine
FTW = "For The Win" BTW
Origins are from FPS games AFAIK
BuddhaChu FTW!
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What I meant was, most if not all installers work with it, but it doesn't always make the app portable or even, as you put it, mobile.
----
Ryan McCue
Current Fav. Songs:
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I never said "always", but those numbers I'd posted refer to times when said app was successfully made portable/mobile.
Way I reckon it, a success rate of 80% is none too shabby!....
"I don't hate cats...as long as they stay on the freeway, where they belong."
- Brad Stine
I have to agree with Preacher. I haven't found much that I can't extract with Universal Extractor. My experience also suggests the 50% run right away. Another 25% can be easily fixed by renaming a couple of files, deleting junk folders and extra files, etc. Another 5% can be run by copying necessary dll's into the application folder and making minor program edits. None of this is as difficult as creating an installer which I have done for a few in the past when I had to.
BUT...I also only use about 5 different machines on a regular basis and most importantly don't care what I leave behind in the registry or in temp folders. I just want the apps I am familiar with, with my personal settings, wherever I am...
Yeah, todd, I forgot about the fact that some won't extract successfully by default, but can be *tweaked* to successfully extract & run.
In my experience, it's mostly when UE tosses up a dialog box partway thru the operation, offering several different extraction formats/types - anywhere from 3 to 5 options I've seen here. Interestingly, I've found that choosing the last option in the list is usually the only option that will be successful, if success is in the cards for that particular operation.
What's been your experience regarding the above?
As to your last paragraph, you pretty much nail it on the head as to my basic outlook on it as well - only w/ me, it's about 3 different machines...
EDIT:
========
Just threw 3 randomly-selected apps at UE that I DLed tonite.
Results:
2 of 'em worked no prob, one did not.
So far, that's a .667 batting average - not too shabby!...
EDIT 2
========
Er,...better make that 3 out of 4
Current batting average .750
Edit 3
==========
4 out of 5; CBA = .800!...
"I don't hate cats...as long as they stay on the freeway, where they belong."
- Brad Stine
I'm talking about really portable.
Anyway, I got 10 and did them:
Just some more statistics. Also, a quote:
100% of statistics are made up
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Ryan McCue
Cube Games
There are only two states in Australia: Queensland and Drunk
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I read it was more like 92% of all statistics are made up on the spot, with another 5% made up by the news, and 3% unknown or overheard.*
*This survey of surveys was done with a 4% margin of error.
--------------
Jeffrey Wiggs
Loving God and Learning Laughter
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Jeffrey Wiggs
Loving God and Learning Laughter
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Ryan McCue
Cube Games
There are only two states in Australia: Queensland and Drunk
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.
( Mark Twain, quoting Disraeli)
"It takes two to lie; one to lie and the other to listen." -- Homer J. Simpson
---------------
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"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." -- Robert Frost
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: baby ain't mine." -- Adam Holguin
Try Barts PE Plugin Creator. It was designed to take installed apps and localize all the application files (exe's, dll's, etc.)into one folder...then you can just run the apps exe from within the folder. Doesent always work, but ive had about 85% success.
http://www.xppe.com/files/plugin%20creator.zip
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You can get a lot more done with a kind word and a gun, than with a kind word alone.
~Al Capone~