Wouldn't it be nice to be able to make a shortcut directly in the Portable Apps menu? In this way, someone could add apps that may not be portable, but still work on a thumb drive. For example, DraftSight is not likely to allow me the change the program to the PortableApps standards, but if someone could make a shortcut to point to the nested DraftSight.exe file, then they could launch it from the Portable Apps Menu.
Here is a example of what it could look like when added to the suite.
- Apps
- Check For Updates
- Get More Apps
- Install a new App
- Refresh App Icons
- Create Shortcut
This also could allow someone to run local installed programs from the Portable Apps menu, i.e. AutoCAD.
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I'd like to see this as well.
Or if it's already possible, I'd like to know how
https://portableapps.com/support/portable_apps_suite#addingotherapps
This links to the page that explains how to add non-PAF apps to the platform.
Hope this helps!
The problem with,"place them in a directory "next to" the PortableApps.com directory", is that the folder structure of the target app has a double-nested .exe file, which the Portable Apps program can't recognize.
To make it work, I'd have to make myself an .exe file that runs the nested executable. Instead of that, a 'shortcut' feature would make it so easy.
Too bad this request seems to have been ignored, because it would be really helpful. I too have quite a few portable apps that have their exe's nested inside other folders, and I have to have a separate folder for them. It would be great if I could add those shortcuts to the PortableApps launcher.
~ shnbwmn
For those interested, I've found a nice workaround that ensures you can access your nested exe apps in a launcher interface, even having the launcher menu right next to PAs one.
So what you need is http://www.pegtop.net/start/ (PStart). It is basically a free app launcher that sits in the notification area and can be used portably. You can create shortcuts to exes or folders, and if you want can create groups of these for better organisation. Once you've done all that, you can set it to start automatically (with PA) and to hide the panel window (so that you don't have to close it on every startup).
Until a better solution comes up, I'll use this to access apps that might easily get forgotten. Just be sure to place PStart in your PortableApps directory in order to have it start with PA.
~ shnbwmn