PortableApps.com Platform 15 Beta 5: High DPI support, .NET support, modern compiler, touch, TLS 1.1/1.2

PortableApps.com is proud to announce the PortableApps.com Platform 15.0 Beta 5 release. This beta adds initial support for .NET apps, updates the bundled 7-Zip and updates the Finnish locale. This release should be the final beta before the stable release. Read on for all the details...(permalink)

Existing Platform users can automatically update by clicking Help - Check for Updates if they have selected to receive Beta updates within Options - Advanced.

New in 15.0 Beta 5

This release debuts .NET app support within the platform alongside the new .NET 2 and 4 directive within PortableApps.com Format. The platform will automatically check for the .NET 2 or .NET 4 support for apps that run on both frameworks and alert the user when it is not found. One or both of these frameworks are available by default on Windows Vista and later and can be added to Windows XP (with admin rights). Our first .NET app with support for this is KeePass Professional Portable 2.39 Dev Test 1, which can be downloaded for testing now. The bundled 7-Zip and Finnish locale have also been updated. Full details on all versions are in the PortableApps.com Platform changelog.

New in 15.0 Beta 4

This beta releases fixes an issue with submenus in high DPI mode by upgrading to the latest Delphi compiler. A fix has been added to allow Windows 7/8/10 users with TLS 1.1/1.2 support disabled in settings to download from TLS 1.1+ hosts for app downloads which fixes an issue where users are unable to update apps hosted on SourceForge. Alternate download locations have been added for Windows XP/Vista users without TLS 1.1/1.2 support which we are currently testing for Firefox Stable and ESR. Three languages were also updated and a fix added that prevented Opera Mail from running on Beta 2/3. Full details on all versions are in the PortableApps.com Platform changelog.

New in 15.0 Beta 3

This smaller beta release includes a fix for 125% and 150% zoom high DPI support, a fix for international keyboards, shrinks platform graphics for faster installs and smaller install size, updates locales, and more. As with Beta 1/2, the Delphi compiler we use to create the platform has been updated to the latest 10.2.2 release which will enable us to better support newer features in ongoing releases. Windows 2000 support has been dropped as part of the move to the latest compiler as Delphi no longer supports it. Full details on all versions are in the PortableApps.com Platform changelog.

New in 15.0 Beta 2

The platform now supports touch scrolling of the app menu up and down via swipe gestures, saves your last What's New viewing on exit so you won't see it again even on improper exit of the platform, adds environment variable passing of the Documents/Pictures/etc directories to launched apps, updates and improves the drive ejection feature, fixes issues with high contrast Windows themes, fixes some large text issues in submenus on high DPI screens, and other fixes and locale updates. As with Beta 1, the Delphi compiler we use to create the platform has been updated to the latest 10.2.2 release which will enable us to better support newer features in ongoing releases. Windows 2000 support has been dropped as part of the move to the latest compiler as Delphi no longer supports it. Full details on all versions are in the PortableApps.com Platform changelog.

New in 15.0 Beta 1

The platform has been updated to support High DPI support within the menu, options, about screen, and dialogs. The existing theme engine has been updated to handle the standard Windows DPI settings as well as custom settings. SHA256 handling has been switched to the internal engine slightly improving performance. The Delphi compiler we use to create the platform has been updated to the latest 10.2.2 release which will enable us to better support newer features in ongoing releases. Windows 2000 support has been dropped as part of the move to the latest compiler as Delphi no longer supports it. Full details on all versions are in the PortableApps.com Platform changelog.

Platform Features

As always, the PortableApps.com Platform is packed with great features like:

• Automatic App Closing - Closing down and getting going is easier than ever with the platform automatically (and safely) closing your running portable apps and letting you know which ones need to be closed before you eject and finish syncing your cloud drive. Luthfi Harahap was kind enough to re-license some of his code to help with this feature
• Awesome Themes - The modern default theme matches well with Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10 and all your favorite classic themes are included as well.
• Cascading Tray App Menu - Get quick access to all your apps with a right click in the system tray
• Always-Ready Search - The app search box is always visible and ready by default, so you can open the platform - possibly with the CTRL-ALT-SPACE hotkey - and just start typing to launch your favorite app. You can even search in app descriptions if you'd like by ticking a box in Options
• Proxy Support - The connections tab in Options lets you automatically or manually configure the platform to work with your internet proxy
• Full Featured Installer - The Platform installer can detect and install to your portable devices, synced cloud directories, local machine, and more
• Fast Updater / App Store - Quickly check for updates to your existing apps and find new ones by name, category, release date, and more
• Eject or Power Off - For local users, the eject button automatically switches to a shutdown/restart/log off button, bringing up the Windows prompt to select your choice. You can also right-click on the button to select to show either eject or shutdown/restart/log off.
• Portable Fonts - Take all your fonts with you and use them in all your portable apps
• Organize Your Apps Your Way - Use the default of favorites and most used apps with all apps by category on the second page or switch it up by selecting alphabetical apps, categories and favorites by default, and other options
• All the fixes and features are details in the PortableApps.com Platform Changelog

Next Version, Translators Needed

We're starting work on the next major release and we'll be releasing a beta in the near future. We'll be going over the list of requested features and bugs to prioritize the additions and fixes in the next couple releases including things like JAVA/.NET apps, automation and batch file handling, custom themes, custom app icons, and how to handle Windows 8 and 10 breaking portable file associations. We'll be needing more translators watching the beta channel and translating the few new features in this release. We'll also be releasing an updated version in the near future with updated translations to get better translations into the hands of users faster.

Ongoing Donation Drive

PortableApps.com needs your help to keep bringing you great software! To learn more, read a personal appeal from PortableApps.com founder John T. Haller. Now you can sponsor the PortableApps.com Platform and help us keep delivering awesome software for free. With options ranging from having your name included to a full-blown site-wide sponsorship, there's a good fit for everyone. Sponsor us today and be a part of the action!

We also accept donations of any size to help with development and hosting:

- Please help support PortableApps.com's development and hosting

Discussing The Release, Enhancements and Bug Reports

As there is much to discuss with this new release, we've separated out a few forum threads for discussing:

• Platform bug reports
• Default app organization settings and "smart" list sorting
• Language updates and changes

Download Today

You can download the new version of the PortableApps.com Platform from the beta download page. Get it today!

Please note that any bug reports and feature requests go in the PortableApps.com Platform Bug Report and Feature Request Tracker.