I created a registry rapper for those programs that do not use settings files within the program directory. It uses the registry settings exported to a .reg file to keep your settings and clean the system. It will also back your local settings if there is an locally installed version of the application and then re-add them on shutdown of the portable version. The complete instructions are included in the readme.txt file. It also includes a proof of concept example using Angry IP Scanner, allowing you to see how it works.
UPDATE:
NEW VERSION OUT 1.8.0.0 - Here are the Changes:
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1.8:
New Additions:
- Added current local machine settings save support - Thanks to nm35
Changes:
- Optimized code further for faster search functions for current and personal settings.
- Removed UserProfile Enviromental variable due to possible problems with some programs and the Operating system itself (Per forum coversation with John Here)
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Check out the poject page here:
This program is a non-beta stable release, so please let me know what you all think. Constructive critiscm and all ideas are welcome.
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For support, comments, suggestions:
Leave a note here in this forum.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
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Now a NSIS Dev Team Member
Check my forums, you have the title
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R McCue
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
This makes it simple - but could it be simpler? To get to the point: can the installer/executable load the relevant information from another settings file? That way, you would only need one executable that could handle any application.
I'm not sure if that's possible with the NSIS scripting stuff, but would be well worth it IMO.
That's one of my goals, I am working on getting to work that way. I will keep ya'll posted on it.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Turns out that NSIS scripting was a bit easier than I thought. I skipped error checking to make this code clean and obvious:
===============
!include "Registry.nsh" SilentInstall silent AutoCloseWindow True WindowIcon Off !define APPNAME "Starter" Name "${APPNAME}" Icon "${APPNAME}.ico" Caption "${APPNAME}" OutFile "${APPNAME}.exe" Var REGFILE Var REGKEY Var EXECUTABLE Section "Main" ; Read Starter settings (default Starter.ini) ReadINIStr $EXECUTABLE "$EXEDIR\${APPNAME}.ini" "${APPNAME}" "Executable" ReadINIStr $REGFILE "$EXEDIR\${APPNAME}.ini" "${APPNAME}" "RegFile" ReadINIStr $REGKEY "$EXEDIR\${APPNAME}.ini" "${APPNAME}" "RegKey" ; Load registry (default settings.reg) ${Registry::RestoreKey} "$REGFILE" $0 ; Execute application ExecWait $EXEDIR\$EXECUTABLE ; Export registry Delete $EXEDIR\$REGFILE ${Registry::SaveKey} "$REGKEY" "$REGFILE" "/G=1" $0 ${Registry::DeleteKey} "$REGKEY" $0 SectionEndCheck it out.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Is there a nicer way of coding these NSIS scripts? I've always considered "Goto" a bit hackish, and usually to be avoided. I've not seen enough scripts to know what's right and wrong. I'll obviously have to look in to these things a bit more.
What are your planned features for the future? Perhaps handling folders that get created in Application Data?
Goto is not hackish
What would you recommend?
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R McCue
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
The NSIS manual examples all seem to use a lot of Goto's aswell, so obviously it's one of the main ways for handling control flow in the scripts.
I call is hackish because I've not used any language where I've needed to "goto" anywhere. Give me good old if, else, while, for and switch.
NSIS is based on assembly
I actually prefer Goto
----
R McCue
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
NSIS is based on assembly
I actually prefer Goto
----
R McCue
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I actually like goto as it gives me a better overview of the flow of the script throughout the program. So, I will continue to use it in my code on this and future programs.
Thanks,
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
As of now, I am concentrating on the registry, Application Data and other folders will come later after the registry is ironed out.
My next goal is to make the prog find the entries in the registry itself and export them, so the user does not have to. I will be working on this in the next few days, I have a way in the works and will let it out as soon as it is tested.
Thanks,
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Deuce, nice little program. I followed the instructions in the README.txt file and tested CleanDisk Security. It loaded the registry keys during startup and removed the keys when the program shut down. However, it also deleted the *.reg file from when the program shut down. Is that by design? What if I want to run the program again?
The program deletes the .reg file before it saves the key from the registry back to the same file. Basically removing the old and replacing it with the new. The reason for this is that the .reg file that you used when the program starts up is the settings that were last known use. So when you are finished it copies those new settings to the .reg file again. Effectively allowing you to change the settings of the program as much as you want and they will still be there the next time you start.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Thanks for your response. I now follow what the program is supposed to do. However, in my case, only the old file is deleted. The new *.reg file with the new settings is not created. Also, the registry key is not removed the the application is closed.
Check the reg key again and make sure it is entered into the ini file as:
[RegRap]
EXECUTABLE=ipscan.exe
REGFILE=settings.reg
REGKEY=HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\programname
If it is correct and it still is not working, use my contact information, to send me a copy of your INI file and the .reg file, I will check it out and see what the problem is.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Thanks. The problem was that I left the brackets around the regkey when I copied it from the settings.reg file.
Glad I could help.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
I am writing a GUI for Reg Rapper if anyone is interested
Yours
Steve Lamerton
Developer Profile Sync & PortaLog
What did you have in mind? Selection of the executable and a registry entry? I think the biggest part from holding back the usability of something like Reg Rapper is the registry export - which I believe is being worked on.
I have been really busy these last few days with my new daughter and trying to get everything back into a rythm. I have not had a chance to work on the rapper during this. I am hoping that I can start working with the registry search portion sometime next week, but cannot be certain.
So, please work on the code and let me know by email what features you would like to add to the rapper, and if you have it completed let me know that code and I will add it in for the next release.
Thanks,
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
You mentioned you had an idea about the registry search - care to share? My only thoughts so far are to use an external program to dump out the changes between two registry snapshots.
has a search, I used it for the setup of the search function. Check out he new version 1.0 for more info.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Everyone check it out and let me know any problems found.
Thanks.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Added new forum and changed download link. check it out!
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
I have been trying out the Registry Rapper and am impressed. I have been trying to get some basic security on my various USB drives which does not require admin priveliges. So I have tried ABC Lock V1.6 (www.acezip.net) which hides folders and am running it with Registry Rapper. All seems to be working OK. If anyone out there with more computer knowledge than me has similar interest in this and would like to try it out and comment on the security level I would be grateful.
Great app, thanks!!
I have updated Registry Rapper to version 1.5.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Check it out and let me know what you all think. And thanks to nm35 for the code on the current local settings backup.
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Deuce {The Core}
"Portable Software: Just the beginning..."
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
With the new project page. Check out the page, for download links and information.
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Deuce {The Core}{Dev Blog}
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Deuce, thanks for this program ,4 programs worked fine with it:
SnagIt , SprintDB Pro Desktop Companion , Flashget , PhatPad
That made my life much easier , especialy with (portable) Flashget!!
Sorry it did't work with ACDSee!!
I am trying it with more programs now
I am glad it works for you.
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Deuce {The Core}{Dev Blog}
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
Deuce
Portable Software: Just the beginning.
This looks like a really neat program.
However, here is an issue I have come across:
A computer where I do not have access to modify the HKLM registry branch, so I need to be able to avoid registry calls entirely. Any ideas?
SandboxIE or Thinstall
Or the Libertà core coming soon.
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R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
SandboxIE and Thinstall both require installs on the computer you plan to use them on - so that won't work.
Libertà (as far as I can tell) only uses Reg Rapper at the moment - so its functionality isn't doing what I need (I think). I can't have ANY registry writes to HKLM.
Libertà Core... is that something new? (Sorry, I don't think that question belongs on this forum - feel free to direct me to the proper place or email me: kilroy2004 @ gmail.com
There's a link some where here with the technique. I have it on my USB and is works fine.
A very quick search for "Portable" & "Sandboxie" came up with 1 result.
https://portableapps.com/node/1124
~Lurk~ Email
~Lurk~
A cursory glance over that thread shows me that "Portable Sandboxie" is not portable either. It makes changes to the registry, then once you close it, it cleans up the registry writes.
I need a way to avoid ever writing to the registry.
... Dosen't actually exists (I should know I was writing it) as it was replaced with the Launchpad & AutoStart (coming soon). However here is a module that I am working on that hopes to completely wrap all file and registry calls. I'd say it'll take a month or two for an initial beta.
Yours
Steve Lamerton
Actually, I meant Lapwing.
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R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Ok, I've searched wikipedia, this forum, google... and I have no idea what LapWing is (besides a bird). Care to enlighten?
Lapwing
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R McCue
PortaBlog Home and My Website
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
More info coming on that later today as well as some other announcements.
Yours
Steve Lamerton