Peeps & Thinstall - my 2 cents
This thing bugging me for month actually… It’s annoying to see more and more people uses Thinstall to create portables. Not that I have anything against Thinstall, but, check this out from Thinstall website:
Thinstall supposedly for these peoples:
- Corporate IT
- ISV & Software Publishers
and it should stay that way. But with available hacked trial of Thinstall Virtualization Suite and cracks/patches on the Internet, anybody that can get their hands on those files can make portable, and I mean CAN make portable because the simplicity of Thinstall.
After seeing some of those Thinstalled apps, these newbies, they never tried to make an app portable the normal way, EVEN if the app works just fine normal way. The main purposes of Thinstall (AFAIK) are:
1) deploy app without footprints on host PC with Isolation & Sandboxing
2) In the portable world, means that virtually almost all apps can be made portable (for example, M$ Office)
So these peeps, they just fire up Thinstall, pre-scan, install the apps and post-scan. Then they click on Build.bat to create the output EXE. Sure, it was an easy task, 1 2 3… right… but does they realize, if Thinstall ceases to exist, what they’ll depend on next? So they’ll be useless without the help of Thinstall. Almost every single app that they can find will be converted into portable using Thinstall, even the good-old Winamp 2.x and other app like UltraISO (which I think is not hard to make it portable NORMAL way)
In other hands, if you at least learned one of the other ways making portables, you always have alternatives. Most great portable makers I’ve known (and some I barely knowns) know at least one alternatives such as through AutoIT, batch scripting etc.
In my humble opinion, I think people that only know making portables with Thinstall are people that didn’t uses their brain. Everything has been taken care of by Thinstall, from files placements, shared dlls and registries. You brain will only uses maybe 0.000000001% to instruct your finger to left-click the mouse on the Build.bat file. That way, you’ll never learned problem-solving and will always depend on the others to solves your problem.
In other method, sure you’ll spend alot of times in fronts of your PC try making them working, but that’s what making your brain functioning. You’ll face with every problems you can encounter with particular app and learned to solve it the hard-earned way…
Well, that was my 2 cents to share with you guys, if you guys didn’t agree with me or want to comments, please do reply. I would love to see some discussion about this…
I could have not said it better my self. I made a portable UltraISO. Its on mikicun’s page. Search for it.
Comment by cmlp13 — April 24, 2007 @ 4:00 am
well, UltraISO was an example, we, as portable maker, should not depend 1000% on Thinstall as it’ll rotten the portable community…
Comment by -: RESURRECT3D:- — April 24, 2007 @ 4:13 am
If you look in the forum, too many new portable makers comes out with Thinstalled apps, without even trying to make it the normal way first, it’s a shame…
Comment by -: RESURRECT3D:- — April 24, 2007 @ 4:16 am
I always monitor the app and see if it can be made portable first. I don’t like thinstall that much because it takes up a lot of CPU.
Comment by cmlp13 — April 24, 2007 @ 5:53 am
yeah, I really want something called “run.exe” or “start.exe” running as a background process… at least with thinstall, you have a better chance that an application is truly “virtual”. just my 2 cents
Comment by johnnyboy13 — April 24, 2007 @ 6:02 am
It’s not always possible run without PC modifications unless you use Thinstall, for example Office. Plus, Thinstall can make sure the application doesn’t write to the host at runtime when some obscure feature is used, it’s good protection. I prefer to download a Thinstall portable because I know it is less likely to mess up my PC. With any other technology there are people who are good and understand what is happening and those who are bad. Thinstall is easy, but that doesn’t mean all packages are good. There needs to be some kind of reputation system for portables, even Thinstall. What level of testing occured? Which platforms? How skilled is the packager? Does the app write to the PC anywhere, if so where?
Just because Thinstall is easy to use, doesn’t make it bad. I remember that assembly language programmers would say the same thing about C++ developers. Real programmers don’t need no stinking compiler!.
I think it can be scary to depend on a technology that could disappear, but Thinstall has been around for a long time I don’t see this happening.
Comment by JerryMmmm — April 24, 2007 @ 8:03 am
What about thinstalling stuff like Adobe Photoshop CS3, fireworks, flash etc. That is not as easy as scan, install, post-scan and build. There is more work to do, as I can’t even get it to work without bridge and all that other stuff.
Comment by orcmaster112 — April 24, 2007 @ 9:02 am
For apps like Photoshop, Fireworks or Flash that require so much works,it’s fine using Thinstall because it’s near impossible to use the normal method.
sure, no run.exe or launch.exe when you use Thinstall, but that fact, make Thinstall somewhat limited. There’s one example I found, Nero 7.8.5.0 Thinstalled, which cannot save settings, the settings are always reverted to default when the app launches. So what’s the point? You don’t have total control over the portable?
well, Thinstall may have it reason to disappear. With current Thinstall price, USD$4999, how many do you think company that actually buy it? I think there’s more people that use it illegally than actually buying it, thus may force Thinstall to shutdown…
Comment by -: RESURRECT3D:- — April 24, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
When I see Adobe.Photoshop.CS3.Extended.Portable (THINSTALL) I am a bit discouraged… Thinstall is a great idea, but it’s a hackjob/workaround for when a pure portable just isnt possible. The real problem with thinstall apps is that they can’t remember settings like Window Sizes, Recent Files, Options etc.
A real portable app works in a portable way, much nicer and remembers settings etc.
Anyway, keep up the good work - we enjoy it!
Comment by Fred — April 24, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
yes, that’s true, Thinstall having problem remembering setting even it have it’s own virtual registry… and you can’t control things like backup/saving settings etc with Thinstall, it just impossible AFAIK, correct me if I’m wrong…
Comment by -: RESURRECT3D:- — April 24, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
The thinstalled Nero I made couldn’t remember settings because it was captured from a classic portable which couldn’t remember settings either. GIGO. So where’s the classic portable Nero 7.8.5.0 that remembers settings so I can Thinstall it?
Video killed the radio star and Thinstall may to the same to its’ predecessors.
Comment by Guest69 — April 24, 2007 @ 10:47 pm
I would prefer that portable apps are made with thin install, I don’t trust people to keep from F*ckin up the registry and other things with their “hacks”
I know there are some good portable app makers, but thininstall makes it safer for the users of portable apps.
I
Comment by guest123 — April 25, 2007 @ 12:36 am
Since no one wants to rant I’ll get in 3 cents worth. There are plenty of people making classic portable apps who don’t think either (present company excluded of course & we all know how hard FarCry3r works).
It’s only natural that the easy way get used first. If there’s a problem then we need to think harder. My objection to Thinstall relates to it’s simplicity- one click and you’re done. That comes about because there aren’t many sophisticated tools for Thinstall yet. It is a pain in the neck to even view the virtual registry, let alone modify it. And there is no Thinstall decompiler so a user doesn’t know what happened. That’s one of Thinstall’s selling points - obfuscation. At least with a classic portable you have a shot at finding out what’s going on unless the coder is proficient at obfuscation (like grizli777). You can’t modify a thinstall app without the coder’s cooperation like providing the capture directory.
Comment by Guest69 — April 25, 2007 @ 2:34 am
Wah, wah, wah! You sound like a bunch of old men whining about something. Who gives a shit about using thinstall to make portables? It leaves no footprints on host PC because that is what a portable app is supposed to do. Let me try and make a comparison. You are cavemen who make fire with rubbing sticks together, then some cavemen on the other side of the cave invent a lighter. Instant fire! Now your pissed off that the cavemen are using a lighter instead of rubbing stupid sticks together.
Stop whining, if there is an easier way to do something, then someone will do it that way. There is nothing wrong with making portables with thinstall. Is there jealousy because thinstall make a nice, neat, single .exe? Instead of your nasty folder that you have to search through the files to find the launcher?
Comment by Sweatyfish — April 25, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
Oh, I almost forgot, “should not depend 1000% on Thinstall as it’ll rotten the portable community” Portable Community??? There are probably at most 50 (more likely less) people who make portable apps. You just sounded like an idiot. STFU
Comment by Sweatyfish — April 25, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
OH, and thinstalled applications CAN remember settings. Put a folder called “thinstall” in the same directory as the thinstalled executable, and presto!
Comment by Sweatyfish — April 25, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
hey, no offense aight? I just want to hear thought, not some retard cursing people here, oh btw, have you feed your mama’s breast today? bet you don’t…
and why do you come to my blog at the first place if you’re ain’t to view and get my portables? isn’t it nasty? baka…
more or less people making portable doesn’t count as it’ll grow in matter of time, bet you’re the one that been a caveman after all…
Comment by -: RESURRECT3D:- — April 26, 2007 @ 12:24 am
I love portable apps … it doesn’t matter to me if its thinstall or not … thanks to the portable app community for making these little gems …
Comment by NB — April 26, 2007 @ 2:30 am
Thanks for the comment NB…
Comment by -: RESURRECT3D:- — April 26, 2007 @ 2:35 am
I think it’s totally no use battleing of words.
When the people (with less skill) can have a choice between the easiest and the hardest way to making portables, the generality will choose the easiest and the less complicated method naturally. I would do it also ;-D.
At my place of work (a telco company) I can only use thinstalled apps, because the registry access is forbidden on the PCs. That’s why I prefer Thinstall in this case.
However it doesn’t matter if the portble app is thinstalled or PACMed, and so on, the main point is that someone engaged in making the app portable…
Last, thanks for the great work on partables Resurrect3D (and a big thank also to mikicun, tpr, cmlp13, and so on), I appreciated your effort. And keep it on.
Comment by skinmouse — April 26, 2007 @ 9:15 am
well, saying so is no harm, but, when one gets a good tool which provides flexibility & ease to perform the way IT(the product) should as stated, then y not to use it & get what one wants … isn’t it correct?
moreover, when enquired for an eloborate help process with the wares that makes port-s using wares like autoit & so on, there aren’t specific & to the point help guides provided for those who already have floated several of the port-s, what do u hv to say abt it pl?
wanna be proactive to drop some of ur precious time making a sincere effort to explain the whole process of making port-s the old way with autoit & so on and also to provide the wares that are required to do so pl?
thx for your disgust againt any tom … di … & ha … using TS, but … would u wanna help out pl?!!
Comment by Urdear — April 27, 2007 @ 5:01 am
First off I wanna say thanks to everyone who made this community what it is. Thanks to MiKiCuN for being ambitious enough to make a forum, bringing everyone interested together under one roof, and thanks to RESURRECT3D for opening this dialog regarding Thinstalled apps. On that, I can say that for myself, as it is with most others who are the ones “making” portables, the central focus is freedom from restriction, and automation in the way we use software. The interest is largely the same for those of you who just come to get your fill of portables without understanding how they work, but that simplicity can go two ways… While Thinstall does offer the advantage of hassle free use on certain kiosk-mode PC’s, while it does simplify portable app creation significantly, and while it does allow others less inclined a place to begin, what I can’t seem to get past is the “Big Brother” element of having to connect to a remote server in order to run the application. Just who is in charge over at Thinstall anyway? Does anyone know? Maybe you’ve been using Thinstalled apps like M$ Office, wonders in their own right, I agree. But think about the uses of a word processor, spreadsheet etc. app like that. There is a very good chance you’ll be opening documents or writing letters that contain a great deal of personal information, or opening and detailing spreadsheets that could contain sensitive corporate data, who you’re contacting and why, on and on… How much of that data could be collected and later exploited? Does anyone know that? I don’t think anyone really knows the answer, save for Thinstall themselves. Something to hide vs. nothing to hide is not even the issue there. The main issue I take with Thinstalled apps is server side functionality. To say nothing of someone who uses several PCs at home, some of them completely offline. Thinstall no worky. Then there’s the question of if Thinstall does go out of business. Thinstall no worky..! But just for a minute, imagine the opposite. Imagine if Thinstall caught on in a huge way, with their technology being licensed out to the big dogs like Adobe. Imagine the future of software licensing. Imagine not being able to run software, ever, without purchasing a license to connect to run your software entirely server side. Talk about rotting the portable scene..! That would totally kill warez, and I fear that day is coming sooner rather than later. And rather than just sputing off at the mouth here, I’ve at least attempted to present another way, imho a much simpler way to create portable software that runs anywhere you have the skill to get admin. Please go here for more info: http://www.mediafire.com/?f33qnxglznd
Thanks for this soapbox,
-Bombenhagel
Comment by Bombenhagel — April 29, 2007 @ 1:47 am
I wonder what these Thinstall boys would think if everyone installed a mojopac on their usb drives http://www.mojopac.com
Be ware this program is still buggy and a fair number of progs dont work on it
Comment by baccarak — April 29, 2007 @ 7:34 am
you actually got the point, baccarak… but it still a long way for mojopac, and it may reign over Thinstall… maybe…
Comment by -: RESURRECT3D:- — April 30, 2007 @ 10:46 am
Because Thinstall works in a sandbox, does that mean it cannot be used for creating portable registry tools and other utilities that need to access the real windows system folders etc? Thinstall doesn’t work with everything … I’ve just started playing with Thinstall and already I have found several apps that I cannot get to work properly, if at all (e.g. Mathcad 14, Roxio Easy Media Creator 9, etc.)
Comment by NB — May 6, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
Thinstall cannot work with app that require service to run too… for example, the Virtual PC project I’m on right now and several other apps that uses services…
Comment by -: RESURRECT3D:- — May 6, 2007 @ 10:33 pm
Services are different from drivers. Thinstall supports virtual services, if you package Office, iTunes, or Apache you can see services working. Thinstall does not package device drivers and VPC requires device drivers to operate.
Comment by JerryMmmm — May 8, 2007 @ 1:01 am
While I understand your sentiment, there are several obvious reasons to use Thinstall FOr one, the notion of having a single executable is VERY desirous for me. For some reason, if I have a folde on my thumb drive that contains, say, 300 files, copying that folder takes a LONG time, while copying one large file of the same total size takes significantly less time.
And the fact that a Thinstalled app can be effectively sandboxed is another huge plus.
That said, there will always be a need to use other methods, and people should take the time to better understand just how apps work, and how to make them portable “the old fashioned way” because you are correct: Thinstall may not be with us forever, and developers may learn to circumvent it, preventing their apps to be Thinstalled.
But like any other discipline, we need to separate the chaff fom the wheat. There will always be garbage portable apps and solid portable apps. Should Thinstall be a solution to create solid apps, then I see no problem using it. We just can’t lose sight of other methods.
Comment by Jim — May 20, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I have to agree with Sweatyfish here, up to a point. With all due respect, you do come across as a little bit jaded and pissed off that you have spent so much time and effort making portable apps the “normal” way, as you put it, only to find that Thinstall hacks have come along and allowed everyone and their dog to create portables.
Personally, I prefer Thinstalled apps for some of the reasons mentioned above. First and foremost, the fact that they can be used on restricted systems where I don’t have access to the registry. For me at least, this is one of the main fuctions of Thinstall, which you seem to have overlooked, despite the fact this has been pointed out on the Project Portables Forum a number of times.
Secondly, because when using a Thinstalled app, I am more confident that it won’t leave any footprint. I have tried a number of “portable” apps that leave not only folders or files in the application data folder, but also registry keys. This doesn’t happen with a Thinstalled app, even a badly made one.
Also, a point not mentioned previously, I hate the splash screens and prompts to visit a site/blog that are becoming more and more prevalent amongst portable makers. If you want recognition for distributing illegal software, that’s your business, I’d rather the casual observer didn’t know I was using cracked software. Obviously if someone went looking through my system they’d work it out quick enough, but I’d rather not advertise the fact every time I open or close a program.
While you do raise some valid points regarding newbies distributing poorly made portable apps using Thinstall, the same can be said of those creating portables using the PACM or other tutorials such as your own. This is not a comment on the quality of your tutorial or the PACM, more so an observation that newbies are newbies, no matter what their method of choice.
Fred’s comments are testament to the fact that you are correct in saying that many people don’t know how to use Thinstall properly. If done correctly, a Thinstalled app can definitely remember settings etc. But again, the same can be said about portables that have been made the “normal” way. If done properly, they should remember settings etc, many don’t. Newbies are newbies. This why I prefer to make my own (using Thinstall), and visit blogs such as this merely as a matter of interest, not to download apps, but just because I like to know what’s out there, and what you “normal” portable makers are up to.
Finally, this comment from Bombenhagel is just dumb, “what I can’t seem to get past is the “Big Brother” element of having to connect to a remote server in order to run the application”. Dude, I don’t know where you get you’re info from, but this is a load of shit. Disconnect your internet, then try running a Thinstalled app, I bet it works just fine. If it’s trying to connect to a remote server, that’s the app your using, not Thinstall. Do you seriously think that major corporations, the market Thinstall is aimed at, would allow sensitive data to be transmitted to a remote server other than their own, I don’t think so.
Out.
Comment by Skinny — May 29, 2007 @ 6:12 am
none
Comment by Paul Chaplin — May 29, 2007 @ 9:58 am
@Skinny - I take it all back!!!
I used a Thinstalled Cool Edit Pro made from one of the players here in this scene (sorry, if I remembered who ya were, I’d give credit) and it worked without a hitch.
I can’t recall if it were due to my own tinkering or if I unpacked the app at some point, but there were some files left over in the Thinstall folder (in My Dox?) which remained after I closed Cool Edit and a couple other “testers” on one of my offline systems.
In my own defense, I “swear” I saw words to that effect on Thinstall’s own web page - that part of the code was server side. I did on many occasions attempt to address/confirm/discuss this over at MiKiCuN’s blog page (what happened to it btw?) and was met with only contempt and ridicule. No one bothered to set me straight despite a thriving Thinstall fan club over there. I was slurred in German plenty of times, but not once did someone sit me down and say, “Hey Bombenhagel - you got it all wrong.” Not once.
I am seeing Thinstall in a different light since then, just a week or so ago. If I could remember where my damn portable Thinstall distro was at, I’d already be playing with creation.
One thing I still have to say is that in my book, portable means tiny, whether or not it exists as a single executable. I did find that the Thinstalled Cool Edit Pro is over 2MB larger than my non Thinstalled Potent Portables version, set to be released any day now as part of a CD4 compilation of nothing but music apps. I was interested in the Thinstalled version for comparison purposes only and it did open my eyes.
I am big enough to admit I was wrong. Hey, I was wrong about Thinstall…
Comment by Bombenhagel — May 30, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
@ Bombenhagel
All good man, I wasn’t trying to have a go at you, and I apologize if I sounded a little harsh. I was just a little annoyed at the time with some of the unfounded criticisms being made here; as well as the some of the contempt you describe on Mikicun’s forum shown toward some of the Thinstall users.
Comment by Skinny — June 9, 2007 @ 12:33 am
I found out about Thinstall a few days ago and been reading their manual since yesterday, frankly to use thinstall effectively you still require to spend some quality time with the manual. Thinstall is great for the novice since yes its pretty much point, click, install, build, of course this is not always possible and depends on the complexity of the softwared being ported. Thinstall is also great because it allows and initiates newbies on the prospect of having portable applications and suites, to the vast majority of computer users, most are not on the know that portable applications exist, Thinstall I think can be a bridge to those not initiated to the portable apps world, and possibly spark their interest to learn more.
My Idea for Thinstall is by porting my Console Emulators (N64, Playstation, Snes) with their respective games and roms in a single CD so if I want to play on other computers I may do so by simply putting in the CD with my thinstalled emulators (My Goal is to have one game per cd as if your really playing on a console
).
But why stop their. I also plan to do the same to some pc games, I think one of the major weakness of PC gaming is that you need to install every single game into the harddisk while those using consoles have the luxury of simply putting in the gamedisk, the weakness in having to install games is that many things can go wrong with the installations, corrupt file, miss read sector, bad sector in hard disk, etc. . . plus if you’ve got your HD pretty full then you need to uninstall your other games (which always is a drag since sometimes you cant choose what to uninstall)
Comment by Blackzabath — June 11, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
10x RESURRECT3D
Comment by justify — July 14, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
I used to love this site - it had new downloads every day.
Here is some software - based on your “making portables” tutorials.
http://rs143.rapidshare.com/files/46889913/Portable_Builder_v0.7.zip
Let’s hope pepole use it and start posting some portables again.
Comment by Jason Trial — August 4, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
Sorry
A more recent file:
http://rapidshare.com/files/47151115/Portable_Builder_v0.9.zip
Comment by Jason Trial — August 6, 2007 @ 1:53 am
jason.. your file has been deleted. can you repost?
Comment by johnnyboy12 — August 9, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
First, I would like to say THERE ARE A LOT OF N00B’s OUT THERE WHO DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO PACKAGE AN APP USING WINZIP!! (btw… much better apps than winzip = tar, 7z, and winrar)
Next: There are a couple of downsides to using Thinstall. For example, after closing the Thinstalled app, the process does not get removed from the tasks list, and subsequent launches are not run on the same process. Another example is working with applications that install a windows service, or driver, such as Microsoft Virtual PC 2007, or Diskkeeper, it is not the best at handling this stuff.
Next: The upsides to using Thinstall >> You can package all of the runtimes, etc into a single executable with virtualized registry and filesystem. Any personal settings made, do get saved into your OS. You can also strip out a lot of garbage which you didn’t even think was installed with that application (registry and filesystem changes that are obscure and add to the slow-down / fragmentation of you system). Furthermore, by bundling everthing into a tight package, there is no need to install large applications such as Office 2007 directly on your pc in the event of a reformat, so reload times are decreased and thus your TCO is reduced dramatically. Further, these apps can be run from a network or portable drive, without installation.
And last :: Cleanliness, I am sure every person on this board has been frusterated at on point or another with 8 billion shortcuts in their start menu for various applications they need, etc, or with 8 billion files scattered all accross their HD(s), without 1/2 a clue as to what they are all for and what can safely be deleted without messing with another program.
This app, at the very least gives complete insight and a shadow copy of all the changes made during it’s monitoring process, which I find very handy.
On the last note, if you ever develop an application, and using third party developer plugins such as activex, etc, this program allows you to bundle everything into a single object without the need to build an installer.
So unless you have a comparable alternative, even with the downsides, as an experienced software engineer, I would say thinstall is the best thing since the conception of winzip, and softice.
Cheers.
Comment by aemulus — August 11, 2007 @ 4:39 am
http://rapidshare.com/files/48496924/Portable_Builder_v0.9.zip
Comment by Jason — August 12, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Wow Jason - that is good
What is it’s homepage?
Is there a newer version?
Comment by User — August 31, 2007 @ 8:42 am
hi,
i would like to get info select 2007 thinstalled, anyone interested in making it? awesome (and expensive) app, similar to asksam.
h??p://www.miclog.com
i have setup & patch.
thanks, a
Comment by abc — September 6, 2007 @ 8:49 am
Yes - I will do it - post details
I will thinstall it and upload to ripidshare
Comment by Above_the_law — September 9, 2007 @ 4:39 am
hi Above_the_law,
sorry for late response, i’ve been away and didnt check this site in the meantime. here are 2 files, setup and cr***ed exe file.
h++p://rapidshare.com/files/33679685/is.rar
h++p://rapidshare.com/files/33680892/setup.zip
thanks in advance!
also, i have more apps that you may be interested, send me an email to sli_99_ver@ yahoo at com (remove underscore lines to get proper email address)
thanks, abc
Comment by abc — September 20, 2007 @ 11:50 pm
http://rapidshare.com/files/57060373/Micro_Logic_Info_Select_2007_THINSTALLED.zip
Comment by Above_the_law — September 21, 2007 @ 2:48 am
Awesome, many thanks Above_the_law! And, that was very fast.
Let me know if you’re interested in thinstalling couple of others apps. You can send me an email (see post above for my email address), or I can post it here, whatever you prefer (I would like it by email).
Again, many thanks, have a great weekend!
Comment by abc — September 21, 2007 @ 6:51 am
re thinstalling apps - where can i get some manual and start doing it by myself?
many thanks in advance!
Comment by abc — September 21, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
I do not use email
Post here and I will do when I get chance
Thinstall site has demo tutorials
The link (8 above this one) from Jason with Portable Builder will make portables for you
Comment by Above_the_law — September 22, 2007 @ 1:10 am
Hi all.
first, i’ve started 2 days ago making appz portable. But after four appz, i tried to thinstall the microzoz project 2007 and the italian language pack both together. But i failed.
In my computer works, but not in the others. Simply a window open trying to install mzproject but after few second it close and nothing happens.
Anyone have good ideas or tips or would give me an hand?
thanks
P.S.
Sorry for my bad english
Comment by Socrate — October 12, 2007 @ 7:40 am
Great discussion for a newbie
. Can someone post a couple of links to making portable applications using PACM, Thinstall (apart from the ones already posted), Portable Builder, Sandboxie etc.
Is it possible to convert registry enteries to ini ones.
Thanks in advance.
Comment by Amar — October 12, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
I have tried Portable Builder v0.9 you just double click and follow instructions.
I don’t know if you need any links it works with loads of software - and lets you overwrite exe files
A big thx to Jason for posting I have not seen this software anywhere else so thx for posting here
Comment by asdf — October 14, 2007 @ 1:10 am
What’s the point of all this? Don’t work Hard, Work Smart. Just get the work done. Thinstalling an app isn’t a bad thing… You sound jealous.. that thinstall enables even newbies to make portables, in turn reducing the need for portable makers.. or might i say decrease your recognition? Is that your problem?
Comment by NightFox — October 21, 2007 @ 10:27 am
I have only just discovered PORTABLE BUILDER v0.9 on this page. It is what I have been waiting for. I am grateful to you for this.
Comment by LoneRanger — November 4, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Any chance someone has tried to Thinstall MS Groove 2007 with success? Also maybe some instructions on how to do Nero 8 Thinstalled? I seem to come across a number of errors..
Another portable app of interest is Xenocode. www.xenocode.com Seems to be even easier to use than Thinstall!
Comment by MNP — December 11, 2007 @ 10:38 am
I have been using the portable builder from your site and I am very pleased with it.
Could someone please provide a list of programs that it does or does not work with?
I would like to know if there are some things that it can not handle, if anyone knows, or can it handle everything.
Thankyou for your help
Comment by JC — January 27, 2008 @ 5:42 am
Re the hacked version of TS. If they weren’t so arrogant to put a $5k USD Price Tag then perhaps more people would pay for it.
Comment by SPC_75 — February 7, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
I am opposed to any use of Thinstall. When I want to steal a $200 or $400 program, I don’t want the added liability of stealing a $5000 program.
Comment by Darren — February 25, 2008 @ 6:20 am
plz anyone can help me to use portable builder, i have this soft but i dont know how to use it, plz make a text tutorial or a video tutorial for me,
i’ll be very thankful to him/her if you make a tut for me
thanks
Comment by daman — February 25, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Only thinstall can really make portable apps because it’s the only one that can run in user mode.
The author talked about AutoIT as an alternative, but it is not. What you can do with AutoIT is to make it install the app, run it, and when you’re done, it will remove all the program settings from the host computer.
This is not user mode only. It will require admin password to install the program.
And let me tell you something: The most brilliants ideas are always the simpliest ones.
That’s why Thinstall is great. It’s simple and functional.
Cheers,
ctl3d32
Comment by ctl3d32 — February 27, 2008 @ 9:33 am
thanks for reply but thinstall dont work on all pc, that’s why i want other soft
Comment by daman — February 28, 2008 @ 12:28 am
I use portable builder all the time, it comes with a picture showing you what to do.
Run it, and type the name you want to use.
Take a shot.
Install and register/crack
Take another shot
Click compare, then quit
That is it, portable builder then makes you a fully portable application
You do not need a video, it is very easy
Comment by JC — March 1, 2008 @ 7:29 am
In which country do you live?
Comment by firefox 2.0 — March 22, 2008 @ 5:19 am
Why, are you trying to catch me>
Comment by JC — March 23, 2008 @ 8:34 am
I live in the US
Comment by hoodia patch — March 23, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
YES YES YES YES YES
YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
YES YES YES YES YES
I have Portable Builder v1.0 - only just released TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…and I am willing to sell you the link. Only kidding - here it is for free !!!!!!!!!
http://rapidshare.com/files/104944225/Portable_Builder_v1.0.zip
Comment by JC — April 5, 2008 @ 9:14 am
How come you got that so fast?
Comment by Interested Party — April 5, 2008 @ 9:37 am
I made a donation some time ago and now I get immediate updates, but don’t worry, I will always share them with you for free.
Comment by JC — April 5, 2008 @ 9:47 am
Very good = PORTABLE BUILDER v1.0. I am grateful to you JC for this.
Comment by LoneRanger — April 8, 2008 @ 4:50 am
Portable builder v1.0 works with some programs that other version did not. Thanks for that JC. You are the man!! (or woman).
Comment by LoneRanger — April 12, 2008 @ 5:28 am
That portabel builder is really good, I have a few things that thinstal didnt do, but this did - I love it.
http://rapidshare.com/files/104944225/Portable_Builder_v1.0.zip
Keep on keeping us up to date JC
Comment by Interested party — April 20, 2008 @ 5:20 am
Has anyone tried the money-making stuff with portable builder?
Comment by Interested party — April 26, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
Thinstall is CRAP.
it sounds cool and everyone thinks it “leaves no footprints” but thats not true. 1st time i tried it it left more than half the program i thinstalled on every other computer, it tries to make it hard to figure out what it does, and if something goes wrong (and with thinstall stuff goes wrong) you cant just look at the NSIS, see what happened and fix it. you have to re thinstall it. and putting the program in a single exe is a bad idea because (1)theres some portables where its illegal to distribute the program and you have to put the exes in yourself. with thinstall you have to build the whole thing yourself. (2) IT CANT SAVE SETTINGS PROPERLY.
sry just getting pissed of that people want some program doing whatever it pleases instead of having something where you can LOOK AT THE SOURCE if you arent sure you trust it
Comment by SomeOneWhoMakesPortableApps — May 4, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
Thanks for that SomeOneWhoMakesPortableApps - can you do an evaluation of that portable builder on this page? I would like to know if it has the same problems that thinstall has? Thanks in advance.
Comment by PortableLover — May 5, 2008 @ 7:07 am
Portable builder is sound,
CODE =
http://rapidshare.com/files/104944225/Portable_Builder_v1.0.zip
It is an automatic version of what portable builders like me do. It copies all the installed files, replicates the registry, then removes the resigtry when finished. If you are a pro, you can alter the files and registry to suite your needs. I rate it, and use it just to save me time.
Comment by DunnyMess — May 7, 2008 @ 3:56 am
Portable Builder has a TROJAN. Just delete money making thing and it won’t start.
Comment by Botched — August 15, 2008 @ 5:38 pm
It’s not a trojan u nob. Just dont use money stuff. It works fine. It is your virus checker that is faulty. Track its actions and u will see. Also I haven’t found a replacement for portable builder, so what other choices are there? It works with many progams that thinstall won’t.
Comment by BetterThanYou — August 16, 2008 @ 7:15 am
Here is what you have all been waiting for!!!!!
I made a considerable donation to PBRS with a request that all the advertising crap be removed.
I got a CLEAN VERSION or PBRS v1.0 - with no links, adverts, or requests for anything.
Enjoy - and spread the word:
http://rapidshare.com/files/157407239/PBRS_v1.0_SELF_EXTRACTOR.exe
Comment by YourHero — October 25, 2008 @ 9:34 pm
I have been using thinapp for a little while now ..but i have run across a problem making clonedvd portable i cant seem to get it to load the elbycdio ..I know it can be donw i have seen another version on the made with thinapp .I have spent a few days on this ..I would most greatly apprecaite some help from some of the more knowledgeable people here .. reguards. Ray
Comment by Ray — March 15, 2009 @ 3:51 pm
I used the portable builder to see if it would work.. still the same problem.. problem seems to be that the elbycdio .dll is not getting loaded …unless or course its already on the machine from a previous version of slysoft products then it works ok ..with the portable builder I was getting error (the procedure entry point ElbyCDIO_perform could not be located in the dll link library) Im not trying to do the impossible ,Like i said i have seen some other thinapped versions of clone dvd2 and clonecd so i know it can be done ..I even tried locating their builders with no luck .I will make a 25.00 USD dontaion via- Pay pal to this site if anyone will take a few minutes to write a tutorial on how i can solve this problem with the dlls .I dont mean fix me a version , I want to be able to fix my own so when i have something like this in the future I can fix it myself. I support slysoft products by purchasing their software. But i would like to be able to take it with me during my travels .I am still working on solving this problem . If i find a solution to it before someone posts a tutorial, i will withdraw my offer but i will post the solution as well… regards Ray
Comment by Ray — March 16, 2009 @ 4:04 am
Ray,there isnt a portable maker out there that can install a driver or a service…not thinapp not jpe…nothing.
It takes some serious brainwork to figure something like that out…and I dont think any one has done it yet.
Comment by Charlie — April 5, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Sorry Ray,I misread your post…I thought you were trying to load a driver.
When you make your portable make sure the machine you are building on is clean and has never had that program on it before.Even if you uninstalled it it might have stuff left over;If the component is already there you might be missing it during your capture process /registry snapshot.
Comment by Charlie — April 5, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
thanks Charlie for the reply, the program actually loads its own driver but i think that is the problem using thinapp ..I am working with this on a clean operating system in a virtual environment using vmware virtual machine … thanks again .. I will keep trying .
Comment by Ray — May 17, 2009 @ 3:01 am
I tried them all and only one that would work was the PBRS from this site
h**p://rapidshare.com/files/157407239/PBRS_v1.0_SELF_EXTRACTOR.exe
It work perfectly on all my system but I only have XP so check on others
I do not like steeling so only download if you have licence
h**p://rapidshare.com/files/237950215/Portable_CloneDVD.zip
Comment by Here to help — May 28, 2009 @ 5:43 am
I do not want donation I am happy to have PBRS software for free from this site
This is my way of paying back
http://rapidshare.com/files/237950215/Portable_CloneDVD.zip
Comment by Here to help — May 28, 2009 @ 5:46 am
Well you may be right in some aspects but certainly thinstall is a great app that has meny options more than just clicking the bat thing…
I, myself, done a portable application wich has httpd and mysql servers, php and perl and some applications like ftp clients, html-kit and even a firefox embedded in the same app. All driven by an aestran menu. All in the same executable which you can port to any computer, use your server and apps to work in your pages and leave without leaving a trace.
Believe me that it took days of work merging these apps and registries and configuring everithing the way i wanted. It even has it’s own ant explorer to have the ability to explorer the virtual files.
I’m glad i have thinstall even if i don’t have a brain or i use only 0.000000001% to instruct my finger….
Comment by CHAOS — August 29, 2009 @ 3:14 pm