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Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial Required

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May 15, 2010 - 11:24am
#1
darshanm
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Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial Required

Can someone please give me a complete step by step tutorial to build a portable application using NSIS. I know how to get all the program files and the registry entries which the program uses but want to know in detail how create and compile the NSIS script and create a launcher using the PortableApps.comLauncherGenerator.

I have searched a lot over the internet and also in these forums but none of the tutorials are satisfactory. I also didn't understand the content given in the development section of this website.

I want to make an application portable which stores multiple registry keys and also stores configuration file in Documents And Settings\{Username}\{AppName}\.

Strangely the registy keys it uses are not typical ones like HKLM\Software\{AppName}
but something like :-
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\AuthRoot\Certificates\1A23B456...
and that too not just 1 key but many.
It also uses keys in the following locations:-
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WDM\ and
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WDM\DREDGE

I don't know whether to ignore them or to include them.
So as I have already told I basically want to know what to do after getting the program files and registry entries of a program.

Hope someone can help me out.
Thanks in advance.

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May 15, 2010 - 12:22pm
vf2nsr
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Step by Step?

That is almost impossible since each and every app is so different What is needed for one ap may not be same for another. Perhaps letting us know the app you want then maybe would be easier to figure what help you need?

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss

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May 15, 2010 - 1:40pm
(Reply to #2)
darshanm
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Want a general tutorial

I want a general tutorial which tells how to handle registry keys and settings stored in Documents and Settings. The software I am trying to make portable is the free IObit Smart Defrag 1.3. Description here:- http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html

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May 15, 2010 - 2:05pm
Mark Sikkema
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Here is a good start what

Here is a good start what will keep you busy for a while !
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3906049/Make-Portable-With-NSIS

BTW: Mainly you can just ignore all the microsoft registry keys.
And have a look in the Other\Source folder of the portable apps on this site for an idea of the nsis script.
Look at 7-Zip Portable for handling registry keys
and NotePad++Portable for moving files up and down
https://portableapps.com/node/14868

Formerly Gringoloco
Windows XP Pro sp3 x32

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May 15, 2010 - 3:09pm
(Reply to #4)
darshanm
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I have already seen both of them

I have already seen both of them. In the scribd one he uses some templates in the book which are not available for download and hence I cannot understand.

In the Guerilla Field Guide I understood till step 11. But these are the steps on which I need some help.

12. Find a base launcher that deals with those issues.
13. Adjust the launcher to reflect the changes you need made.

I'll elaborate my question:-
1. How to create a launcher?
2. I have the registry entries used by the program. How to make the launcher add the entries when the program is started and delete them when the program is terminated.
3. A program stores its settings in "Documents and Settings\{Username}\{Appname}".
How to handle that file when the program is made portable.

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May 15, 2010 - 3:45pm
scriptdaemon
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If you're using the

If you're using the PortableApps.com Launcher, you're very likely not going to need to write any NSIS scripts. This thread and the link inside it to the manual should really be all you need.

1. How to create a launcher?

With the PortableApps.com Launcher Generator. It's self explanitory: You run it, find the folder where your app is, and everything is taken care of. If there's a problem, it'll let you know.

2. I have the registry entries used by the program. How to make the launcher add the entries when the program is started and delete them when the program is terminated.

Answered in the manual.

3. A program stores its settings in "Documents and Settings\{Username}\{Appname}". How to handle that file when the program is made portable.

Answered in the manual.

Edit: When all that is done, you run the PortableApps.com Installer.

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May 17, 2010 - 12:33am
(Reply to #6)
darshanm
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Error in launcher

I followed your advice and tried the launcher. I am getting an error when I try to launch the application. Here's a screenshot of the error. I have combined three so that the difference is clearly visible.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q295/darshanmaiya/Other/error.jpg

I also need some advice on how to handle settings file located in Application Data directory. How to backup the original file from a PC and then use the one in the portable program's directory. I read the manual but I couldn't understand properly.
I also need some sample launcher.ini files. The ones included are insufficient for me.

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