For quite some time now I've been using applications that run off my USB stick. It is almost essential in my line of work since I often come to a computer on which I have to run various scans or recover files and I want to do this with minimal intrusion. If I install something on a computer I'm trying to recover files from there is a good chance I'll end up writing over part of the file.
So I've culled a number of applications that all run on my USB flashdrive. All are free, there are more than a few you can purchase a "pro" version of, but most of these offer little extra functionality for the normal user.
I started off doing this as a project for my wife, but it took on a life of it's own. I currently have a bootable USB flashdrive (to linux, get it
here) and almost 8gb worth of software. I wrote a basic windows help file with one of the portable apps and it is hosted
here as well as residing on my USB flashdrive as portable apps.chm. I use the
Pstart Launcher to organize and launch all the apps on my flash (check out the help file for pics).
Recently, a tweep on twitter asked what apps I had and I emailed him a basic list. This is some of it:
*
rootkit detectors/scanners: *
f-secure blacklight (f-secure.com)
*
Pavark *
Sophos anti rootkit (req verification)
*
cleaners o
ccleaner o
rogue remover o
easy cleaner o
pc decrapifyer *
file/disk recovery o
cd recovery o
data recovery o
datarecovery o
diskdigger o
encopy4 o
file recovery o
NTFSundelete o
Pandora Recovery o
PartitionRecovery o
Recuva (probably the best and easiest)
o
Restoration o Undelete
o
undelete_plus *
password viewers o
IE password viewer o
Keyfinder o
LSASecretsView o Password Assistant
o
Wireless KeyView *
Password Manager o
KeePass Portable *
Encrypting/decrypting o
Drag'n'Crypt Ultra o
FreeOTFE o
LockNote o
PicoCrypt o
TrueCrypt *
backup o
windriversbackup *
Copiers o
unstoppable copier o
ycopy *
disk size tools o
WinDirStat Portable (BEST)
o
Disktective o
drive cleanup wizard o
i.disk *
duplicate file finders o
Easy Duplicate *
file archivers o
IZarc (copy folder after install to USB)
o
7zip o
appCompactor o
pea zip o
universal extractor o
UPX Packer o
UPX Shell
*
File managers o
Free Commander (best)
o Alt Commander
o ExplorerXP Portable
o Q-Dir
o Xenon
*
File Renamers o Ant renamer
o bulk renamer
o Rename Master
*
Synchers o Allway sync N Go (pay)
o freefilesync
o ozsync
o PUSS
o Toucan
o Syncback (free version)
*
Graphics o
viewers + artsee
+ cornice portable
+
fsviewer (FastStone makes excellent apps)
+ MaxView
+ SlowView
+ XnView
o
Editors +
Gimp + Blender
+ Photofiltre
+ photoscape
+ artweaver
o
Screen Capture + aviscreen (capture movies of desktop activity - no sound)
+ FastStone Capture
+ HandySnap (excellent)
+ Hover Snap (use this when handysnap doesn't work)
+ lightscreen portable
o
other + FastStone Photo Resizer
+ fotosketcher
+ fastimageresizer
+ imagicon
+ pngoptimizer
+ redeye
*
multimedia o
video players + VLC media player
+ smplayer
+ mplayer portable
o
audio players + 1by1
+ AIMP2
+ coolplayer
+ evil Player
+ foobar2000
o
editors + audacity
+ wavosaur
+ virtualdub
o
cd burners + burnCDCC
+ cdrtools
+ DeepBurner (very good)
+ imgburn
+ infrarecorder
o
cd rippers + bonkenc
+ DeepRipper (very good)
o
Other + DVD Shrink
+ AVI Repair Utility
+ XMedia Converter (convert anything)
*
system o
info + CPU-Z
+ currProcess
+ deviceinfo
+
ProcessExplorer (*****)
+
Process Monitor (*****)
+ SysSpec
+
System Explorer (does everything!)
+ System information viewer
+ winaudit
o
startup + autoruns (not as good as SE above, but GOOD)
+ aspy32
o
Antivirus/antispyware + clamwin portable
+ Multi Virus Cleaner (MVC)
+ Spybot search and destroy 1.6.x
+ Stinger AV
o
defrag + jkdefrag
+ defraggler
+ fragutil
+ hdiskdefrag
+ powerdefragmenter
+ win contig
+ win merge portable
o
registry + regassassin
+ registry cleaner
+ registry scanner
+ regshot
+ sysinterals registry monitor
+ xpredit
That is less than half the stuff I have on my stick. I also keep a ton of installable apps to clean computers. Things like startup mechanic and system mechanic and a couple of uninstaller apps.
Almost everything can be found on either
portableapps.com or
http://www.portablefreeware.com. otherwise just google it.
