Battle Installed vs. Portable Programs

[ifacedown]

Hello Guys!

First I'd say I have high hopes of making this thread full of feedbacks...

What do you prefer? Installed Programs or Portable Programs? Of course everyone know that not all programs could have their portable counterparts. What I am asking are the possible advantages and disadvantages of the two.

Take for example, Browser. Would you prefer Opera or Opera Portable?

Of course I'm not asking only for browser applications, but programs of any kind!

Well on my system nearly half of my programs that I run always are portable. I prefer portable counterparts of uTorrent, Skype, OperaMail, Maxthon, etc. because my Windows stay lean and clean (not totally though, some portable programs leaves temporary files on Windows which I do not like).

Please give in your thoughts.

Okay, let me add a poll.

Thanks.

 

[MrExplorer]

Really for home user & daily purpose need Installed version is good but whereas for users who use to collect different tool Portable is better.

So i do install software which is use regularly whereas i use portable application which i use in months or even years.

 

[Icy]

Portable apps. I only install programs that don't offer a portable version.
I install browsers though, much better functionality installed imo.

 

[ifacedown]

Portable apps. I only install programs that don't offer a portable version.
I install browsers though, much better functionality installed imo.

Okay, I agree with you on the first statement.

Now please tell me why installed browser is better than portable?

 

[Ink]

No vote, as I use both and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Oxygen]

No vote, as I use both and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

I agree with this post.

 

[ifacedown]

No vote, as I use both and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

Hello,

Maybe I have to edit the title, "VS."

I am comparing between "installment" and being "portable"... Please tell me the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Thanks.

 

[ifacedown]

I agree with this post.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?

 

[ALi]

Installed Programs

 

[ifacedown]

Installed Programs

Why?

 

[Ink]

Installed:
- Better for licensed software
- Permanent install, won't go missing
- Security software can be launched early before loading into Windows (better security)
- Easier upgrades (install-over)
- Included on a System Image backup (can be recovered with OS)

Portable:
- Easier to remove (just delete)
- No unnecessary registry entries
- Transferable (USB)
- If stored on different partition, will still be available after an OS re-format.
- Settings usually stored in an .INI instead of Registry.

 

[MrXidus]

The programs that I'll use on a regular basis are installed for the reasons Huracan stated.

On my external HDD I have a portable utilities folder with 70+ handy little portable programs I carry everywhere.

Either installed & portable have their own positive reasons, what it really comes down to is your situation in question.

Example - When performing maintenance on my grandmothers PC for instance I'll use that portable utilities folder I have rather then install anything, a good way to save time!

Thanks.

 

[PlayerFromTheITtic]

Hello everyone!

No vote, as I use both and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

I agree with this post.

Installed:
- Better for licensed software
- Permanent install, won't go missing
- Security software can be launched early before loading into Windows (better security)
- Easier upgrades (install-over)
- Included on a System Image backup (can be recovered with OS)

Portable:
- Easier to remove (just delete)
- No unnecessary registry entries
- Transferable (USB)
- If stored on different partition, will still be available after an OS re-format.
- Settings usually stored in an .INI instead of Registry.

I second these posts