Why even bother with installing a program when you can have portable version? Advantage of .exe?

KatanaDV20 · 15 May 2011 at 13:33

Been wondering about this for a while...

I guess Im talking about small programs here. For example I use the excellent freeware Keypass for banking and on their website they offer two versions to download:

KeePass 1.19b

KeePass 1.19b (Installer EXE for Windows)
This package contains everything you need to use KeePass. Simply download the EXE file above, run it and follow the steps of the installation program. You need local installation rights (use the Portable version below, if you don't have these rights).

Portable KeePass 1.19b (ZIP Package)
Download this ZIP package and unpack it to your favorite location (USB stick, ...). KeePass runs without any additional installation and won't store any settings outside the application directory.

Im curious - why even bother to use the .exe version (and Im not singling out Keypass for this I just use it as an example) when you can have the portable version that runs without any installation? What is the advantage of a full-blown install vs portable? (Ignore the issue of "installation rights" for the moment) Assume you always have installation rights.

I run portable Keypass on my PC, Ive never used the installed version. Never had problems of any kind. Is it because older OS' have issues with a portable version and need the full install?

Sin_Chase · 15 May 2011 at 14:28

Both would run portably I imagine. The first will "Install" the files to Program Files for you, but if you wanted you could use the Portable version and manually put them there for the same effect.

It sounds like the supposedly bespoke portable version will use files in its own directory instead of the User AppData location but makes no difference really. The advantage of using AppData is if multiple users use the same apps they can have different customisations.

uv · 15 May 2011 at 14:40

The main benefit of the installer is that it will install registry entries, which are required for things like Explorer context menus, and file-association (eg Open With etc).

lokkers · 16 May 2011 at 07:51

uv said:
The main benefit of the installer is that it will install registry entries, which are required for things like Explorer context menus, and file-association (eg Open With etc).

And shortcuts in Programs, Desktop (although I hate that) etc

KatanaDV20 · 16 May 2011 at 21:10

Ahh ok got it now. Thanks for the replies. Id forgotten about intergration into Windows with RC menus and such.

And shortcuts in Programs, Desktop (although I hate that) etc

Me too and I wish ALL installers had the option to disable those being created.