BUG: A lot of third-party plugins not working on portable version

[heldheld]

Checks

• [X] I have checked that this issue has not already been reported.

• [X] I am using the latest version of Flow Launcher.

Problem Description

Not sure why this is happening, but a lot of my third-party plugins don't work, and changing any setting on these plugins just resets itself on restart of Flow Launcher. Also, the default settings for those plugins are not auto-populated, they are just empty.

The errors I get all give the same thing: FileNotFoundError: Unable to locate Launcher directory I don't understand why it would be unable to locate the files? The log I attached is from trying to use Emoji+.

Reinstalling the plugins didn't work.

For some reason, Dictionary is working fine, so it's not all third-party plugins I have but I think most.

To Reproduce

1. Download Portable Version
2. Install third-party plugins (examples: Emoji+, Github Notifications, CurrencyPP, General Converter)
3. Try to run them, or change settings.
4. ???
5. idk, it gives errors for me

Screenshots

Flow Launcher Version

1.18.0

Windows Build Number

10.0.19045.4717

Error Log

Flow Launcher version: 1.18.0
OS Version: 19045.4717
IntPtr Length: 8
x64: True

Python Path: C:\Users\heldheld\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\pythonw.exe
Node Path: 
Date: 08/07/2024 17:30:19
Exception:
Emoji+ Exception: 
Websites: https://github.com/Garulf/emoji-plus
Author: Garulf
Version: 2.0.0
Flow.Launcher.Core.ExternalPlugins.FlowPluginException: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\heldheld\Documents\Portable Programs\Flow Launcher Portable\app-1.18.0\UserData\Plugins\Emoji+-2.0.0\run.py", line 9, in <module>
    from plugin.emoji import Emoji
  File "C:\Users\heldheld\Documents\Portable Programs\Flow Launcher Portable\app-1.18.0\UserData\Plugins\Emoji+-2.0.0\plugin\emoji.py", line 7, in <module>
    from flox import Flox, utils, ICON_BROWSER, ICON_COPY
  File "C:\Users\heldheld\Documents\Portable Programs\Flow Launcher Portable\app-1.18.0\UserData\Plugins\Emoji+-2.0.0\lib\flox\__init__.py", line 46, in <module>
    raise FileNotFoundError("Unable to locate Launcher directory")
FileNotFoundError: Unable to locate Launcher directory

 ---> System.IO.InvalidDataException: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\heldheld\Documents\Portable Programs\Flow Launcher Portable\app-1.18.0\UserData\Plugins\Emoji+-2.0.0\run.py", line 9, in <module>
    from plugin.emoji import Emoji
  File "C:\Users\heldheld\Documents\Portable Programs\Flow Launcher Portable\app-1.18.0\UserData\Plugins\Emoji+-2.0.0\plugin\emoji.py", line 7, in <module>
    from flox import Flox, utils, ICON_BROWSER, ICON_COPY
  File "C:\Users\heldheld\Documents\Portable Programs\Flow Launcher Portable\app-1.18.0\UserData\Plugins\Emoji+-2.0.0\lib\flox\__init__.py", line 46, in <module>
    raise FileNotFoundError("Unable to locate Launcher directory")
FileNotFoundError: Unable to locate Launcher directory

   at Flow.Launcher.Core.Plugin.JsonRPCPlugin.ExecuteAsync(ProcessStartInfo startInfo, CancellationToken token) in C:\projects\flow-launcher\Flow.Launcher.Core\Plugin\JsonRPCPlugin.cs:line 249
   at Flow.Launcher.Core.Plugin.JsonRPCPlugin.ExecuteAsync(ProcessStartInfo startInfo, CancellationToken token) in C:\projects\flow-launcher\Flow.Launcher.Core\Plugin\JsonRPCPlugin.cs:line 249
   at Flow.Launcher.Core.Plugin.JsonRPCPlugin.QueryAsync(Query query, CancellationToken token) in C:\projects\flow-launcher\Flow.Launcher.Core\Plugin\JsonRPCPlugin.cs:line 264
   at Flow.Launcher.Core.Plugin.PluginManager.<>c__DisplayClass23_0.<<QueryForPluginAsync>b__0>d.MoveNext() in C:\projects\flow-launcher\Flow.Launcher.Core\Plugin\PluginManager.cs:line 196
--- End of stack trace from previous location ---
   at Flow.Launcher.Infrastructure.Stopwatch.DebugAsync(String message, Func`1 action) in C:\projects\flow-launcher\Flow.Launcher.Infrastructure\Stopwatch.cs:line 40
   at Flow.Launcher.Core.Plugin.PluginManager.QueryForPluginAsync(PluginPair pair, Query query, CancellationToken token) in C:\projects\flow-launcher\Flow.Launcher.Core\Plugin\PluginManager.cs:line 230
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
   at Flow.Launcher.Core.Plugin.PluginManager.<>c__DisplayClass23_1.<QueryForPluginAsync>b__1(ActionContext _) in C:\projects\flow-launcher\Flow.Launcher.Core\Plugin\PluginManager.cs:line 224
   at Flow.Launcher.Plugin.Result.ExecuteAsync(ActionContext context) in /_/Flow.Launcher.Plugin/Result.cs:line 246
   at Flow.Launcher.ViewModel.MainViewModel.OpenResultAsync(String index) in C:\projects\flow-launcher\Flow.Launcher\ViewModel\MainViewModel.cs:line 307
   at CommunityToolkit.Mvvm.Input.AsyncRelayCommand.AwaitAndThrowIfFailed(Task executionTask)
   at System.Threading.Tasks.Task.<>c.<ThrowAsync>b__128_0(Object state)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)

[heldheld]

Found the issue.

Apparently it's a problem if I rename the folder that Flow Launcher Portable is in. If it is anything other than 'FlowLauncher', I get these errors. Any way to compensate for this? It's not super important but it does feel a little silly to not be able to rename the main folder.

[heldheld]

It does seem there are still issues. Some plugins still just don't want to save any settings, and will not work. I can set them in the Settings window, but when I try to use the plugin it just doesn't work and as soon as I restart Flow Launcher, the settings are just gone. Could this have to do with me using the Portable Version somehow? I will list all plugins I use that are affected:

• ChatGPT
• DropboxFinder (will save the token, but not the folder path)
• Github Notifications
• Minecraft Multi Launcher
• Steam Search
• TenorGIF

Curiously, some third-party plugins DO work now, that didn't work before I renamed the main folder back to 'FlowLauncher'. Among them:

• CurrencyPP
• Emoji+
• General Converter

[Garulf]

Yes some of these plugins were designed to work with Wox and Flow Launcher. unfortunately the only reliable way to tell the launcher's apart at run time was using the folder names. This has been fixed but these plugins have not been updated yet.

[heldheld]

Yes some of these plugins were designed to work with Wox and Flow Launcher. unfortunately the only reliable way to tell the launcher's apart at run time was using the folder names. This has been fixed but these plugins have not been updated yet.

Ah okay. So, is the conclusion that these plugins will not work with the Portable Version until they are updated? Because the folder names are default atm and these plugins don't work:

• ChatGPT
• DropboxFinder (will save the token, but not the folder path)
• Github Notifications
• Minecraft Multi Launcher
• Steam Search
• TenorGIF

[Garulf]

Plugins should work regardless of what mode Flow Launcher is in as long as the folder name is kept default.

Edit: I am not familiar with the Dropbox plugin however.

[heldheld]

Plugins should work regardless of what mode Flow Launcher is in as long as the folder name is kept default.

In that case, I still have an issue. The plugins in the aforementioned list do not work, even though the folder name is default. Settings I put in for those plugins are also not saved upon restart of Flow Launcher. Also when I make a completely new Portable Version with default settings, they still don't work.

[Garulf]

Plugins should work regardless of what mode Flow Launcher is in as long as the folder name is kept default.

In that case, I still have an issue. The plugins in the aforementioned list do not work, even though the folder name is default. Settings I put in for those plugins are also not saved upon restart of Flow Launcher. Also when I make a completely new Portable Version with default settings, they still don't work.

Settings not saving is a different issue. Flow Launcher changed how it saves settings and these plugins have not been updated to fix that yet.

[heldheld]

Settings not saving is a different issue. Flow Launcher changed how it saves settings and these plugins have not been updated to fix that yet.

I see what you're saying. Thanks for explaining all of this. Is it reasonable to ask the developers (I see some plugins in the list are by you) to update this? Most notably the Steam Search is one I use a lot.

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue is stale because it has been open 60 days with no activity. Remove stale label or comment or this will be closed in 60 days.\n\nAlternatively this issue can be kept open by adding one of the following labels:\nkeep-fresh

[heldheld]

@Garulf bumping this issue since it's gotten the stale label.

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue is stale because it has been open 60 days with no activity. Remove stale label or comment or this will be closed in 60 days.\n\nAlternatively this issue can be kept open by adding one of the following labels:\nkeep-fresh

[heldheld]

I see what you're saying. Thanks for explaining all of this. Is it reasonable to ask the developers (I see some plugins in the list are by you) to update this? Most notably the Steam Search is one I use a lot.

Can I get a response to this please?

[jjw24]

If an issue hasn't been made to the Steam Search plugin repo It might be good to do so. Besides that plugin what's another one that you use often and not working. I can take a look at the two plugins in my spare time.

[heldheld]

If an issue hasn't been made to the Steam Search plugin repo It might be good to do so. Besides that plugin what's another one that you use often and not working. I can take a look at the two plugins in my spare time.

Thanks for the response and the offer!

I've made an issue for the Steam Search plugin just now: https://github.com/Garulf/Steam-Search/issues/66 Besides that one, I'd love to be able to use TenorGIF and Minecraft Multi Launcher. The other ones are not that important to me.

[enoversum]

If an issue hasn't been made to the Steam Search plugin repo It might be good to do so. Besides that plugin what's another one that you use often and not working. I can take a look at the two plugins in my spare time.

Thanks for the response and the offer!

I've made an issue for the Steam Search plugin just now: Garulf/Steam-Search#66 Besides that one, I'd love to be able to use TenorGIF and Minecraft Multi Launcher. The other ones are not that important to me.

I just came across this issue as well, and also the one with settings not saving. It appears all of Garulf's plugins haven't been updated to work with the 'new' way of FL saving settings. I cannot save settings and also get the same error on another plugin of his.