The portable might put a tiny file or 2 in a folder called Application Data, or a harmless entry or 2 in your registry, but they won't effect other programs. And many programs can just sit on top of Windows and work just fine. After all, you don't need to be welded into the pedals, shift lever, and steering wheel to drive your car. Just note where that folder is - in case you want to put a shortcut on your desktop or add it to your programs menu, or both (instructions can be found in Windows Help if you don't know how) - and, if you don't like the program on your computer, throw the folder away.

With a portable you just download, or unzip, the program in some folder of your choice, and you're ready to go. In fact, just installing many programs can interfere with other programs. Gunk that can interfere with other programs. I always recommend portables - also known as Free Standing Software - because you avoid the problems that Bruce mentioned below in that you don't have to worry that the install program's uninstaller leaves gunk behind (many, many do!). Both can be found with a simple search, or, if I don't get in trouble, at the Portable Freeware Collection site.

Morgan Pierce, Everything is a very quick replacement for the often sluggish Windows search, especially in older versions of Windows, where Windows search could be as slow as molasses in the Antartic winter.

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