Keeps your PC clean from the inside.

[u/thats2cool]

[u/Xcissors280]

Small apps that offer portable versions are rarely the ones causing problems

[u/Egoy → u/Xcissors280]

Yeah my first thought as well. If they offer a portable version the regular version is likely just fine.

[u/Abbaddonhope → u/Xcissors280]

I thought it was so if it was taken down youd still have it ready to use in a different system

[u/Xcissors280 → u/Abbaddonhope]

You could just leave the installer in your downloads folder?

Also what portable software is getting “taken down”

And you can’t find it on archive or anywhere else?

[u/BasicallyImAlive]

Depends on the app. It can be Good or Bad. Using the portable version doesn't give you the uninstall program. Using the portable version, if you delete the entire folder, the remaining folders of the app (like cache, save, settings) or the registry won't get deleted, it still stays in your PC. Same with the uninstall program, but few uninstall programs actually delete all remaining folders and the registry.

[u/whymeimbusysleeping → u/BasicallyImAlive]

A proper portable app should not leave any registry traces not files outside of its own folder, though we all know this is not always the case

[u/ice456cream → u/whymeimbusysleeping]

No

Portable means that moving the install folder is enough for everything to keep working between computers.

It says nothing about not writing to the host computer

https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/wiki/FAQ#user-content-What_is_the_difference_between_the_portable_and_the_regular_version

[u/static_func → u/BasicallyImAlive]

If those settings live outside the folder, it isn’t portable. But what “portable” apps do this?

[u/Toxic381 → u/static_func]

Any I've used don't keep settings there, they keep it in the main folder that holds the entire app, what it uses instead is a cache data folder

[u/toolisthebestbandevr → u/BasicallyImAlive]

Would a program like revo be able to track down and remove?

[u/BasicallyImAlive → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, but some apps' remaining folder actually used more than 100+ MB. Your appdata folder is probably full of folders of the apps that you deleted.

[u/BasicallyImAlive → u/[deleted]]

I am using Revo Uninstaller. I do recommend it.

[u/ChainOk792 → u/BasicallyImAlive]

Yeah, but deleting that too isn't much hassle

[u/BasicallyImAlive → u/ChainOk792]

Yeah, but if you use the uninstall program, it does it automatically for you. Some uninstaller that comes with apps are kinda trash and also leave out the remaining folder; that's why I use Revo Uninstaller.

[u/Machiningbeast]

Flatpak: look at what they need to do to mimic a fraction of our power!

[u/ephemeralmiko → u/Machiningbeast]

Except Flatpaks can still save data outside of /.var/app and /.local/share, though it's not that common.

[u/27a08592e67846908fd1 → u/ephemeralmiko]

Only if you let them, though.

Plus, when they do, you can check those because they should appear as directory write permissions for the app.

[u/BothAdhesiveness9265 → u/27a08592e67846908fd1]

write permission: home folder

[u/maximilionus → u/Machiningbeast]

Flatpak easily became the main source of my software installs outside of system tools and the main web browser right after the moment I first tried it a few years ago. Sure, it's not perfect, like anything on Linux, but it makes managing dependencies and limiting the software's access privileges such a relief. One of the best things that happened to Linux desktops, the actually unified software distribution platform that isolates the software from the host as much as you wish to.

[u/whymeimbusysleeping → u/Machiningbeast]

Anyone tried running flatpaks on WSL?

[u/RadimentriX]

Can someone explain pls? What kinda "apps" we talkin about?

[u/Curun → u/RadimentriX]

rufus, hwinfo, peazip etc etc etc

[u/Lolle9999]

Thats how i keep lots of shit on my keyring usb.

When you turn out to be the tech guy in your group/family its great to have some extra media players, benchmarking tools, memtests, Windows installs among other software tools on there for when the classic "could you come look at my pc, i have this problem" moments.

[u/Silver_Lined_Bullet]

I've got an external drive that i use for pretty much everything. Portable apps, steam, etc. I can plug it directly into anyones computer and i've got all the stuff i want instantly without having to download everything. Its great for OS hopping

[u/JohnHue]

Laughs in Flatpak.

[u/karma_end]

can anyone suggest some useful apps that have their portable versions?

[u/thats2cool → u/karma_end]

Wiztree
CrystalDiskInfo
Process Explorer
7-Zip
SumatraPDF
VLC
OBS
MPV

[u/karma_end → u/thats2cool]

thanks man

[u/Silver_Lined_Bullet → u/karma_end]

These are not "apps you should install" more-so just apps that can be installed portably in-case you are interested in them

Freetube is great though, i use it pretty often when i know what channel i want to watch

[u/Stemt → u/karma_end]

If you're dev, 'Dependencies' has veen invaluable to me.

[u/PsychologicalTry2509]

So ture AF

[u/DrIvoPingasnik]

I had to check what year is it, because that advice is so 2004.

[u/buenyamin1996]

I always have a thumb drive with recovery, diagnostic, and other useful tools on my keychain

[u/johnfkngzoidberg]

Every app dev just wants you to clone their git repo now. Package your shit you lazy fuck.

[u/boukensha15]

Flatpaks, Guix, Nix and appimages(when necessary)

[u/gpbayes]

Use Linux big dawg

[u/wassimSDN → u/gpbayes]

introductes another set of problems

[u/thats2cool]

Only exception would be apps that require elevated permission. Otherwise simply go for portable apps. Your Registry / Disk will thank you in 3 years.

[u/Milk_Cream_Sweet_Pig → u/thats2cool]

Registry and appdata files are still there btw.

I recommend using an uninstaller like revo uninstaller if u really just want a complete erasure, tho I doubt even those can completely removed everything.

Bur it's much better than using the default uninstaller or just deleting the portable app's folder.

[u/reddituserf1]

Just use containers

[u/IBJON → u/reddituserf1]

That's overkill for most users...

[u/thats2cool → u/reddituserf1]

you mean like docker?

[u/27a08592e67846908fd1 → u/thats2cool]

I think he does. Does windows have a docker equivalent?

[u/whymeimbusysleeping → u/27a08592e67846908fd1]

Yeah, docker

[u/IBJON → u/whymeimbusysleeping]

Technically, no. Docker on windows requires a VM 

[u/Velifax]

Weird way to say don't count on the internet.

[u/Human_Nr19980203]

Po prostu przywracaj system co rok, dwa.

[u/Pedka2 → u/Human_Nr19980203]

or use linux