Include fstart.ini file in portable package, please!

[joby_toss]

Hi, Marek!

Is it possible to include the fcStart.ini file in the portable package, please?
With this content:

Code: Select all

[Start]
freeCommanderIniDir=%FcSrcPath%

Because as it is now, at first launch the Settings folder is immediately created in AppData, prior to changing the "Start program/Free Commander install folder" option (and left behind even if the option is changed). The alternative is to manually create the file before the first launch, but some users find this uncomfortable.
Would mean a lot to the portable apps fanatics (like me and other users of TPFC ).

Thank you!

[alf5000]

excellent idea!
i've always been using fc portable and i've always been copying fcStart.ini manually.

[Marek]

Is it possible to include the fcStart.ini file in the portable package, please?

It is possible but I do not know if it make sense. Many users simply overwrite the current instalation with the archiv content. The existent fcStart.ini should not be replaced!
I could add renamed fcStart.ini, e.g. fcStart_for_portable.ini

Code: Select all

;Please rename this file to fcStart.ini if you like to make this instalation portable
[Start]
freeCommanderIniDir=%FcSrcPath% 

Additionally a readme file is possible, e.g. readme_make_me_portable.txt

Code: Select all

Please rename the file fcStart_for_portable.ini to fcStart.ini if you like to make this instalation portable

[joby_toss]

OK, some developers prefer this approach (like in Miranda IM's case or some of Mouser's apps, from DonationCoder and other).
But I use FC for quite a few years now, only in portable mode, and fcStart.ini file still has the same content; don't see what harm will do overwriting it. Does it saves other settings, too?

[Dreamer]

I think the fcStart.ini file should be definitely included in the portable package.

Here are my reasons for including the file with the %FcSrcPath% value (in the portable version only):

- it doesn't work as portable without it, so perhaps it's even a bug
- for normal users it's not easy, even impossible to guess how to make it portable
- for advanced users it's easy to deselect the file when unpacking, or even change the path if it's rewritten
- without it the settings files are created in "C:\Users\...\AppData\Local\FreeCommanderXE\Settings", which is not easy to find for normal/novice users
- FC XE final version is new and there are many new users using it
- no settings (but the start path setting) are lost if the file is overwritten by mistake

[Marek]

OK, I have updated the FreeCommanderXE_portable.zip file.
Two files was added: fcStart.ini and what_is_fcStart_ini.txt.

Additionally the PortableApps package is now available.

[joby_toss]

Thank you very much (TPFC entry updated accordingly)!

[Dreamer]

Thank you, Marek.

Do you plan to change also the beta portable version? I think the beta version are using many normal users, just for the new features and not for beta testing/bug reporting, so it should be the same there.

[sfgs97]

OK, I have updated the FreeCommanderXE_portable.zip file.
Two files was added: fcStart.ini and what_is_fcStart_ini.txt.

Additionally the PortableApps package is now available.

FYI: In latest FreeCommanderXE-32-public_portable921.zip there is only what_is_fcStart_ini.txt but not the actual fcStart.ini file. It is very confusing and problematic for new users to download what is supposed to be a portable version but then it doesn't act in the expected portable way of storing settings in its own folder when you first launch it.

[Marek]

Simply unpack the archive FreeCommanderXE-32-public_portable921.zip in any writeable folder and then check under Help->About where are the settings placed.

[Zorkoff]

I downloaded and unpacked the archive FreeCommanderXE-32-public_portable921.zip as you instructed.

There is still no fstart.ini file in the settings folder. [Or in the main folder either.]

Is this file really needed?? I don't have one with the 64-bit portable version and it works just fine.

Is this only needed with the installed version to make it portable?

[Marek]

The file fcStart.ini is not necessary if SETTINGS subfolder exists. It is the case for the portable version.
Please check too: https://freecommander.com/fchelpxe/en/C ... older.html