So, using an application from IObit called IObit Toolbox, you can add programs to the toolbox by simple pulling the .exe into the "tools" directory of the toolbox app which is portable by the way, good stuff. By following a simple naming scheme, like dragging sysinternals page defrag and renaming it Suo14_PageDefrag.exe (Suo14=System Utility-Optimization 14 where as Sur would stand for System Utility-Repair).
My intention was to put all my apps into the toolbox and build an autorun for it, as opposed to using the portable apps platform to start the toolbox and then start the app I want. I am facing only one problem though.
Each portable app has it's own "App" and "Data" folders (also "Other") that it needs to operate. What I want to know is, is there a simple way to change where the program looks for these folders. In other words, change it so JKDefrag.exe looks in \JKDefrag\App or \JKDefrag\Data instead of \Data or \App.
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Some apps do by using the AppNamePortable.ini file in the Other\Source directory of the app (see the readme.txt in there for details). Many newer apps do not have this option. It is being phased out and is no longer supported or recommended as you can't then upgrade apps even directly with an installer, use them properly with the platform, use them with the updater, use them with the backup utility, etc.
In short, you can with some of the apps, but it's not recommended. The best option is to use the platform and then stick iOBit toolbox inside it.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thank you, all but SpyDLLRemover had this option (ClamWin, JKDefrag) and the other apps (CCleaner, Sysinternals Page Defrag) already run natively without directories, or in the case of CCleaner only has a settings.ini file. SpyDLLRemover I'll just deal with and put the folders in the "tools" directory.
The PortableApps menu doesn't work on several computers that I work on, hence my preference on IObit Toolbox better on virus infected or crashing machines. No need for explorer.exe to run, etc.
Really, aside from ClamWin definitions which still seems to work, I'll rarely update them apps.
Perhaps it is just my opinion, but perhaps we should work to a self contained exe file that doesn't need additional folders if possible? It makes sense to reduce the file/folder count on portable drives to improve performance, especially considering most use FAT32.
The apps are multiple files and many require read/write access, so have to run from somewhere. The alternative is to extract them locally, which is VERY slow.
I've never come across a PC that can't run the PA.c Menu. It's a pretty simple single-EXE Delphi app with not too many higher-level API calls.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!