How to create a portable version for Windows software with Cameyo

Portable applications are useful if you use many different computers. You can take the application library with you and use any Windows computer to run them. However, what if an application you use doesn't have a portable format?

1. What is a portable application and why is it important?

There are many useful portable applications, but there may be some applications you need to use in your daily work that are not among them. Cameyo is a free portable application creation tool, creating a single executable (.exe) file from the entire Windows program. Copy this single file to an external USB flash drive or hard drive, so you can run the program on any Windows computer without installing it.

Note: The following article will guide the installation and use of Cameyo on Windows 8.1 version.

Download Cameyo and save to a folder on your hard drive. Cameyo does not need to install. The file you downloaded for Cameyo is not an installation file; instead is a portable program. Double-click the .exe file to open Cameyo.

The production company Cameyo says that you have to create your portable application in a virtual machine. That's what this company said in Virtual Application Packaging ( Virtual Application Package) - Best practice guide:

'Prepare a basic virtual machine. Make sure there are no unnecessary programs running on it. Turn off all possible updates, including Windows updates or antivirus software updates. Avoid using other programs on your computer. Generally, anything that can modify files or registry keys, will interfere with this transition. You should use XP SP3 32-bit unless your software requires some higher system installation and functionality. '

For information on how to create virtual machines, see the article Setting up and installing Windows 8 on VirtualBox. This article will show you how to install operating systems in VirtualBox.

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NOTE : Cameyo creates a portable application by taking a snapshot of your system, before the application is installed and again later, recording changes to the system. Therefore, make sure that the application you want to create is a portable application NOT installed on your computer before you begin this process.

A dialog box will appear asking you which program you want to open. You will create a portable application, so select Capture an installation and click OK .

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Cameyo will display a dialog box in the lower left corner of the screen, while it captures an original image before installation.

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When Cameyo displays the following dialog box, install the software you want to pack as a portable application.

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Perform normal installation procedures for your software.

While setting up the application installation and packaging, any settings you modify in the application, before finishing the shooting process, will be stored in the application. So once the software is installed, and BEFORE clicking Install done, run the application and configure it the way you want. Then, click Install done to complete the shooting process.

If you do not want to change any settings in the application, just click Install done when the installation is completed.

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Cameyo took pictures after installation.

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A dialog box will appear when the application has been successfully created. Click OK to close the dialog box.

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Your portable application will be in C: UsersDocumentsCameyo apps . It will include the name of the program with the " .cameyo.exe " extension at the end. Double-click this file to run the program.

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If the User Account Control dialog box is displayed, click Yes to continue.

NOTE: You may not see this dialog box, depending on your User Account Control settings. The User Account Control dialog box will display every time you open a converted application, depending on your settings.

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If you need to register the application, do so when you receive a prompt.

NOTE: You will not have to do this again. Information is stored in the portable application.

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There are many modules available in Cameyo. To open the main program, double-click the Cameyo.exe file again, select Cameyo on the dialog box and click OK .

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If this is the first time you open Cameyo, you will be asked to register. Registration is completely free and will provide additional features. Fill out the form and click Register .

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To see which portable applications are available through Cameyo, click the Computer icon at the bottom of the window. You will see the application you just created. Click it to run or click X to delete it.

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Click the Studio icon at the bottom of the screen.

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Once you have created a portable application, you can change the settings for that application. To do this for the application you just created, click the icon next to the Package editor .

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NOTE: You can also select Edit a package on the displayed Cameyo dialog box after double clicking on the Cameyo.exe file.

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In the Package Editor, click the Open existing virtual app link .

NOTE: If you have opened a package for editing earlier, it will be listed in the Recently edited section.

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Go to the Cameyo application folder, select the portable application you just created and click Open .

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There are several options to place on the General tab. Click Advanced to get additional options.

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On the Advanced tab, you can change additional settings, such as whether the program leaves any traces on the computer.

For more information on these settings, see ' User Guide ' available on Cameyo's website. (Link to reference: https://www.cameyo.com/virtual-apps-personal-use/)

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If you make any changes to the settings, select Save from the File menu to save your changes.

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A dialog box will appear when the package has been saved. Click OK to close it.

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To close the Package Editor , select Exit from the File menu.

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You can adjust some general settings for Cameyo. If you have closed the main window of Cameyo, reopen that window (as mentioned above) and click the wrench icon in the lower right corner of the window.

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Here, you can change the directory where your portable applications are saved and set some other options. Click OK when you have made your changes.

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To close the main window of Cameyo, click the X in the upper right corner of the window.

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Cameyo comes with an extended application library (using the Library icon in the Cameyo application), including hundreds of the most popular software. This allows you to try it without installing the software. If you do not want to use the application anymore, just delete the application. It will not leave any traces on your computer.

You can use the free Cameyo for use at home and for small companies (up to 49 machines).

Good luck!

See more:

1. 8 easy steps to create portable software with WinRAR
2. Instructions for creating Portable using VMWare ThinApp Enterprise program
3. 10 Portable tools supported for system administration