Portable Apps: install software without cluttering your computer

The Portable Apps launcher is a way to install software on a computer without making any changes to Windows or the Registry.

This has a couple of benefits.

Firstly it means that the software won't slow Windows down and can be uninstalled just by deleting the folder.

Secondly it makes Portable Apps ideal for installing on a USB memory key, so that users will always have their favourite programs to hand.

Unlike previous versions of Portable Apps, there is only one download option this time around (except for one that includes some free music).

Previous versions were available with different portable apps already installed. Now, only the Portable Apps menu itself is included in the dowload and extra software is downloaded from the Apps menu.

Click on Options and then Get More Apps and a wizard will appear, to walk you through the process. It displays the list of available portable apps arranged in categories.

Select as many apps as you'd like and click Next. The list also makes it clear how big the app download will be and how much space it will take up when installed, which is very useful when using USB memory keys. What would have been even more useful, however, is a tally, rather than having to try and keep track in your head.

There is a wide selection of software on offer from text editors such as Notepad++, image editors such as The Gimp, Photofiltre and Irfanview, browsers including Firefox and Chrome and the Libre Office software suite.

Once you have made your selections, click on Next and the apps will all be downloaded and installed.

There doesn't appear to be an option for starting the Portable Apps menu automatically with Windows. This is as simple as making a shortcut and dragging it to the Startup folder in the Start menu.

It is also now possible to change the theme of the launcher with different colours.

While it is possible to install portable apps by themselves, the launcher makes them a lot more convenient to use and the new downloader tool is very welcome.