[Feature request] USB version (Windows)

[vatterspun]

This is usually called "portable" but as a program that's already available for multiple operating systems, I can see that creating confusion.

Current behavior

On Windows, program writes settings to C:\Program Data and to the registry in HKLM\SOFTWARE and HKU.

Requested behavior

Save all settings to the local folder. The program should search for settings in the local folder no matter where it is launched from (e.g. copied to the Desktop, run from X:, or c:\Temp)

Why does this matter? / Use cases:

• USB drive - (the primary use) -- someone who uses a public terminal at a coffee shop, computer lab, etc. that wants to have easy access to their files and settings. Drives are so big and so cheap now, there's every reason to take all your files and programs everywhere with you.

• Improved security - this is mostly what I need it for -- I keep all my files inside an encrypted volume and try to keep all my files and folders inside.

• Admin-restrictions - Users who aren't able to run install procedures on a given computer would still be able to use your program.

• Feature parity - Other free office programs including SoftMaker FreeOffice, LibreOffice, and OpenOffice have portable versions, meaning some users will forego trying ONLYOFFICE because it's missing what their current program has.

Possible issues

This can make association with specific file types (e.g. DOCX or XLSX) more difficult and can create upgrade confusion when settings and recent files are overwritten. As such, it's advisable to make this available as a separate version.

[smaragdus]

A native portable version will be great- in my opinion it will make this office package more flexible and universal.

[vatterspun]

A "portable" version is listed on the download page https://www.onlyoffice.com/download-desktop.aspx but that only lists Linux. Any chance this is a sign of things to come?

[JohnPerkin]

Hello @vatterspun We have plans to release portable version for Windows OS but unfortunately could not specify any time frames for it. Thank you for your feedback, we will take it into consideration.

[vatterspun]

@JohnPerkin Understood -- thanks for getting back to me.

[vatterspun]

One other use case: Testing

Testing is a lot easier because you can always get a totally new install, even on a machine that already has a copy of Onlyoffice. I regularly have to uninstall, reboot, reinstall, and THEN test a program. God help me if I make a mistake in the middle of the testing process and have to do it all over again. Self-contained portable programs don't have this issue.

Additionally, you can have multiple versions of a program on one computer so you can see where an issue appeared, which can make tracking down code changes a lot easier.

[realkot]

Any updates about dates when portable version will be relised?

The are already some "forks": http://www.thumbapps.org/2017/04/ONLYOFFICE-portable-Desktop-Editors-32-64-bit-cloud-and-offline-office-suite.html

[vatterspun]

Thumbapps is linking directly to this issue, which is technically doing me a favor by bringing attention to this issue but I don't recommend leaning on their software for a portable option. This is for two reasons:

1. They've had a "we're shutting down" notice up for some time now on the home page. It therefore seems unlikely they'll keep up with an ONLYOFFICE build.
2. They don't seem very keen on following license terms. For example, they're not hosting source code for GPL software they distribute. At minimum, it's not terribly clear where one would get the source code for the software they distribute.

[GreatBigWhiteWorld]

Any progress on this?

[SimoLRepo]

Currently (November 2022) still no portable version available ☹

[vatterspun]

Currently (November 2022) still no portable version available ☹

It's okay. I'm sure they have plenty of other features that users are clamoring for. Portability is likely in the "nice-to-have" category and not at the top of the list. Hopefully it comes around eventually.

[SimoLRepo]

Thumbapps is linking directly to this issue, which is technically doing me a favor by bringing attention to this issue but I don't recommend leaning on their software for a portable option. This is for two reasons:

1. They've had a "we're shutting down" notice up for some time now on the home page.  It therefore seems unlikely they'll keep up with an ONLYOFFICE build.

2. They don't seem very keen on following license terms.  For example, they're not hosting source code for GPL software they distribute.  At minimum, it's not terribly clear where one would get the source code for the software they distribute.

I just wanted to add that the Launchers made by thumbapps (or by Portable Apps For Dummies) are actually simple configurations. The executable is generated via the PortableApps.com Launcher Generator. In the past i have I asked for various information on that "Generator" and they prevented me from reusing the code. Other products made by them appear to have the source code instead: see here and here.

[MaximilianKohler]

I made a request on portableapps.com https://portableapps.com/node/70294.

[LuckySpecialist]

Hi! At the moment, we are not planning to release and support a portable version of the Desktop Editors. If you need such an application, you can contact [email protected]

[Rita-Bubnova]

I close this issue. Feel free to comment or reopen it if you got further questions.