What is a portable app?

A portable application (or portable app) is a computer program that you can carry around with you on a portable device and use on any Windows computer. When your USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod or other portable device (such as a CD or even your mobile phone) is plugged in, you have access to your software and personal data just as you would on your own PC. And when you unplug the device, none of your personal data is left behind.

Why are portable apps becoming so popular?

Open Source - There are plenty of portable applications that are for free.
No Special Hardware required - install any portable application on any USB Drive, portable HD, iPod or MP3 player, Mobile phone, etc.
Convenient - carry your favorite computer programs along with all of your bookmarks, settings, email and more with you. Use them on any Windows computer. All without leaving any personal data behind.

What can you do with portable applications?

• Carry your web browser with all your favorite bookmarks
• Carry your calendar with all your appointments
• Carry your email client with all your contacts and settings
• Carry your instant messenger and your buddy list
• Carry your whole office suite along with your documents and presentations
• Carry your antivirus program and other computer utilities
• Carry all your important passwords and account information securely
• And much more...

Nothing more to say. It works and it's totally functional.

That said, here is the first portable application, I totally recommend for you to try as I will be searching for more as time goes by. It is open source (therefore free) and is very easy to download, install and go..

What else? PortableApps Suite. Perhaps one of the best I have found so far. You can choose three different versions to download, Platform Only, Suite Light or Suite Standard. All versions of the PortableApps.com Suite include the integrated PortableApps.com Menu and the PortableApps.com Backup utility along with a set of custom icons, an autoplay configuration, folders and a quick start shortcut. I recommend to download the Standard Suite as it is packed with great apps, which includes among other things the OpenOffice.org portable edition. Can't beat that. Here is what you get:

• Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition (web browser)
• Mozilla Thunderbird, Portable Edition (email)
• Mozilla Sunbird, Portable Edition (calendar/tasks)
• ClamWin Portable (antivirus)
• Pidgin Portable (instant messaging)
• Sumatra PDF Portable (PDF reader
• KeePass Password Safe Portable (password manager)
• Sudoku Portable (game)
• Mines-Perfect Portable (game)
• CoolPlayer+ Portable (audio player)
• OpenOffice.org Portable (office suite)

Wait no longer, download your PortableApps Suite now and take your PC with you anywhere. I hope you like reading Portable Apps to go. Do you know of any Portable Apps that you can recommend?

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