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How to install a program on a flash drive

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9 replies

by ahnc

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A couple of months ago, there was a great article about installing and running software via a flash drive. Basically the article detailed how to install a program onto the flash drive so that you didn't have to install it on a specific computer and you could carry it / use it on any computer.

Now I can't find the article. Does anyone know anything about this article or anywhere I can find more information about it?

9 replies

by rob miners

if you could be a bit more specific. What does this software do? There is a lot a software that will run from a flash drive.
EG: Spybot, Sophos and some Operating Systems.

Any clues? :)

by the scummy one

Just to mention, it is not just any specific app, the article was for installing multiple apps (such as browsers, cleaning utils, Office apps, puppylinux, etc.), onto a flash drive to to be able to have a 'mobile office' without taking bulky HW with you.

One article is
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10880-6138515.html

discussion for it is here
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-10878-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=205035&messageID=2128825

But I aint finding the one that I thought of after reading the question.

and another good one (recommended by GG
http://portablefreeware.com/

by rob miners

he was after a particular App. Iv'e got a bucket load on my sticks. Don't go anywhere without them. Sure beats carrying a case full of floppies.

Speaking of not finding articles I have no luck whatsoever when I do a search on TR. I'm obviously not holding my mouth right. :)

Edit: I do remember seeing the article. Just cant find it. :)

by ahnc

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

by older mycroft

I have a habit of carrying a host of installers on flash drive. It makes it easier than getting a service machine online for something I've already downloaded.

Also, apart from the 'portable apps' as mentioned by Scummy, any program that is not Registry-dependant will launch straight from a flash drive. Easiest way is to simply copy from the HDD install directory.

I also carry every post-SP2 update on my flash drive - helpful when a user had the bright idea to delete "all those useless hotfix uninstallers" and then came unstuck!

by achristensenjohnson

I haven't yet figured out how to do it, but we use a "boot cd" at work that was designed with visual basic, yet also runs ISOlinux at DOS-it has a list of tools, such as the Norton Removal Tool, and you just click the button for the tool and it runs in memory (like KNOPPIX) rather than installing. I have it on a few flash drives, too. My boss has admitted to me that he is not the author of the "boot cd" and we don't know how to recreate it. It's just a multi-tool we use, very handy in 98/2000/ME/XP/but it doesn't work for Vista. If anyone knows how to design this, I'd love to know!

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