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AppPortable Template

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daemon.devin edited this page Aug 10, 2025 · 3 revisions

Template

There is a PortableApps.com Application Template which is provided by PortableApps.com. It's a generic template of file structure with configuration files and a default launcher along with a stub EXE so you can be sure it works by default. If you're a beginner, it would be a good idea for you to download this archive to give it a once over so you may familiarize yourself with its basic concept. You can download this template here.

The configuration is setup with an AppID of AppNamePortable, so it uses AppNamePortable.exe as the default launcher and AppNamePortable.ini as its configuration file. There are default settings in the INIs for handling config files that exist locally, config directories that exist locally, config files that move between Data and App, config directories that move between Data and App, and registry key config settings. The necessary lines to handle the moving and backup/restore of local settings as well as portablization of both a standard config file and a .reg file are all included and working for an example app of AppName and ExamplePublisher. The files are all fully commented and a how to txt file is included in the base directory. You can start up just by loading an app without even needing to recompile AppNamePortable.exe. When you're ready to release, instructions for that are included as well.

custom.nsh

While the PortableApps.com's Application Template is a nice starter kit which shows the file structure for a novice, it lacks the support for custom.nsh. So, I went ahead and created a custom.nsh file for reference. It has support for dotNET checking, Registering DLLs, Services, & Scheduled Tasks. It's also commented so it can be read a little easier for beginners. Additionally, this custom.nsh may be used with the official PA.c Launcher.

;= VARIABLES 
;= ################
;Var $App

;= DEFINES
;= ################
;=# App Specs
!define APP  			``
!define APP64			``
!define APPDIR			`$EXEDIR\App\${APP}`
!define APPDIR64		`$EXEDIR\App\${APP64}`
!define DATA			`$EXEDIR\Data`
!define SET				`${DATA}\settings`
!define DEFDATA			`$EXEDIR\App\DefaultData`
!define DEFSET			`${DEFDATA}\settings`
!define SETINI			`${SET}\${APPNAME}Settings.ini`
;=# Registry
!define REG				`${SET}\${APP}.reg`
!define DEFREG			`${DEFSET}\${APP}.reg`
;=# Register DLL
!define GUID			{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
!define KEY				SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID
!define CLSID			InprocServer32
!define DLL				`${APPDIR}\`
!define REGSVR			`$SYSDIR\regsvr32.exe`
;=# Services
!define SVC				`${APPDIR}\`
!define SVCKEY			SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\
!define HKLM			HKLM\${SVCKEY}
!define SC				`$SYSDIR\sc.exe`
;=# Scheduled Tasks
!define TASK			``
!define SCH				`$SYSDIR\schtasks.exe`
;=# File System
!define GETWOW64		`kernel32::GetSystemWow64Directory(t .r0, i ${NSIS_MAX_STRLEN})` ;= System::Call ${GETWOW64} #SYSDIR used by WOW64
!define DISABLEFSR		`kernel32::Wow64EnableWow64FsRedirection(i0)`	;= System::Call ${DISABLEFSR} #Stops file system redirect
!define ENABLEFSR		`kernel32::Wow64EnableWow64FsRedirection(i1)`	;= System::Call ${ENABLEFSR} #Enables file system redirect
!define GETCURRPROC		`kernel32::GetCurrentProcess()i.s`
!define WOW				`kernel32::IsWow64Process(is,*i.r0)`
!define PAL				PortableApps.comLauncher
;=# dotNET
;= The .NET Framework installer writes registry keys when installation is successful. 
;= You can test whether the .NET Framework 4.5 or later is installed by checking the 
;= HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\NET Framework Setup\NDP\v4\Full folder in the registry for
;= a DWORD value named Release. The existence of this key indicates that the .NET 
;= Framework 4.5 or a later version has been installed on that computer. The value of 
;= Release indicates which version of the .NET Framework is installed. Use the values 
;= below for version checking in ${Segment.OnInit} depending on your applications needs.
;=
;= Version: 											Value of Release DWORD:
;= 4.6.2 on Win10 Anniversary										394802
;= 4.6.2 on all OS but not Win10 Anniversary						394806
;= 4.6.1 on Win10 November Update									394254
;= 4.6.1 on all OS but not Win10 November Update					394271
;= 4.6   on Win10													393295
;= 4.6   on all OS but not Win10									393297
;= 4.5.2															379893
;= 4.5.1 on Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2					378675
;= 4.5.1 on Windows 8, Windows 7									378758
;= 4.5																378389
!define DOTNET			`378389`

;= FUNCTIONS
;= ################
Function IsWOW64
    !macro _IsWOW64 _RETURN
        Push ${_RETURN}
        Call IsWOW64
        Pop ${_RETURN}
    !macroend
    !define IsWOW64 `!insertmacro _IsWOW64`
    Exch $0
    System::Call `${GETCURRPROC}`
    System::Call `${WOW}`
    Exch $0
FunctionEnd
;=# dotNET
Function dotNETCheck
    !define CheckDOTNET "!insertmacro _CheckDOTNET"
    !macro _CheckDOTNET _RESULT _VALUE
        Push `${_VALUE}`
        Call dotNETCheck
        Pop ${_RESULT}
    !macroend
    Exch $1
    Push $0
    Push $1
    ${If} $1 >= 460798
        StrCpy $0 4.7
    ${ElseIf} $1 >= 394802
        StrCpy $0 4.6.2   
    ${ElseIf} $1 >= 394254
        StrCpy $0 4.6.1
    ${ElseIf} $1 >= 393295
        StrCpy $0 4.6
    ${ElseIf} $1 >= 379893
        StrCpy $0 4.5.2
    ${ElseIf} $1 >= 378675
        StrCpy $0 4.5.1
    ${ElseIf} $1 >= 378389
        StrCpy $0 4.5
    ${Else}
        StrCpy $0 ""
        SetErrors
    ${EndIf}
    Pop $1
    Exch $0
FunctionEnd

;= MACROS
;= ################
;=# Register DLLs
!define DLL::Backup "!insertmacro _DLL::Backup"
!macro _DLL::Backup _GUID _FSR _SECTION _KEY _ERR1 _ERR2
    ClearErrors
    ReadRegStr $0 HKLM `SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\${_GUID}\InprocServer32` ""
    ${IfNot} ${Errors}
        StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +6
        StrCmp ${_FSR} /DISABLEFSR 0 +5
        ${WriteRuntimeData} ${_SECTION} ${_KEY} `$0`
        ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${REGSVR}" /s /u "$0"`
        Goto +2
        ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${REGSVR}" /s /u "$0"`
        Pop ${_ERR1}
        Pop ${_ERR2}
    ${EndIf}
!macroend
!define DLL::Restore "!insertmacro _DLL::Restore"
!macro _DLL::Restore _FSR _SECTION _KEY _ERR1 _ERR2
    ClearErrors
    ${ReadRuntimeData} $0 ${_SECTION} ${_KEY}
    ${IfNot} ${Errors}
        StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
        StrCmp ${_FSR} /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
        ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${REGSVR}" /s "$0"`
        Goto +2
        ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${REGSVR}" /s "$0"`
        Pop ${_ERR1}
        Pop ${_ERR2}
    ${EndIf}
!macroend
!define DLL::Register `!insertmacro _DLL::Register`
!macro _DLL::Register _DLL _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
    StrCmp ${_FSR} /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${REGSVR}" /s "${_DLL}"`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${REGSVR}" /s "${_DLL}"`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
!macroend
!define DLL::UnRegister `!insertmacro _DLL::UnRegister`
!macro _DLL::UnRegister _DLL _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
    StrCmp ${_FSR} /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${REGSVR}" /s /u "${_DLL}"`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${REGSVR}" /s /u "${_DLL}"`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
!macroend
;=# Services
!define Service::Query `!insertmacro _Service::Query`
!macro _Service::Query _SVC _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
    StrCmp "${_FSR}" /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${SC}" query "${_SVC}"`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SC}" query "${_SVC}"`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
    StrCmp ${_ERR1} "1060" 0 +3
    SetErrors
    Goto +2
    ${WriteRuntimeData} "${_SVC}Service" LocalService true
!macroend
!define Service::QueryConfig `!insertmacro _Service::QueryConfig`
!macro _Service::QueryConfig _SVC _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    ReadEnvStr $R0 COMSPEC
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
    StrCmp "${_FSR}" /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"$R0" /c "${SC} qc "${_SVC}" | FIND "BINARY_PATH_NAME""`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"$R0" /c "${SC} qc "${_SVC}" | FIND "BINARY_PATH_NAME""`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
    StrCmpS ${_ERR1} 0 0 +4
    StrCpy $R1 ${_ERR2} "" 29
    ${WriteRuntimeData} "${_SVC}Service" LocalPath "$R1"
    ReadRegStr $R1 HKLM `SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\${_SVC}` ImagePath
    ${WriteRuntimeData} "${_SVC}Service" LocalPath "$R1"
!macroend
!define Service::State `!insertmacro _Service::State`
!macro _Service::State _SVC _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    ReadEnvStr $R0 COMSPEC
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
    StrCmp "${_FSR}" /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"$R0" /c "${SC} query "${_SVC}" | find /C "RUNNING""`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"$R0" /c "${SC} query "${_SVC}" | find /C "RUNNING""`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
    StrCmpS ${_ERR1} 1 0 +4
    StrCmpS ${_ERR2} 1 0 +3
    ${WriteRuntimeData} "${_SVC}Service" LocalState Running
!macroend
!define Service::Start `!insertmacro _Service::Start`
!macro _Service::Start _SVC _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
    StrCmp "${_FSR}" /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${SC}" start "${_SVC}"`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SC}" start "${_SVC}"`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
!macroend
!define Service::Stop `!insertmacro _Service::Stop`
!macro _Service::Stop _SVC _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
    StrCmp "${_FSR}" /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${SC}" stop "${_SVC}"`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SC}" stop "${_SVC}"`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
!macroend
!define Service::Remove `!insertmacro _Service::Remove`
!macro _Service::Remove _SVC _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +4
    StrCmp "${_FSR}" /DISABLEFSR 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${SC}" delete "${_SVC}"`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SC}" delete "${_SVC}"`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
!macroend
!define Service::Create `!insertmacro _Service::Create`
!macro _Service::Create _SVC _PATH _TYPE _START _DEPEND _FSR _ERR1 _ERR2
    StrCmpS $Bit 64 0 +7
    StrCmp "${_FSR}" /DISABLEFSR 0 +6
    StrCmp "${_DEPEND}" "" 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${SC}" create "${_SVC}" DisplayName= "${FULLNAME}" binpath= "${_PATH}" type= "${_TYPE}" start= "${_START}"`
    Goto +7
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK /DISABLEFSR `"${SC}" create "${_SVC}" DisplayName= "${FULLNAME}" binpath= "${_PATH}" type= "${_TYPE}" start= "${_START}" depend= ""${_DEPEND}""`
    Goto +5
    StrCmp "${_DEPEND}" "" 0 +3
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SC}" create "${_SVC}" DisplayName= "${FULLNAME}" binpath= "${_PATH}" type= "${_TYPE}" start= "${_START}"`
    Goto +2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SC}" create "${_SVC}" DisplayName= "${FULLNAME}" binpath= "${_PATH}" type= "${_TYPE}" start= "${_START}" depend= ""${_DEPEND}""`
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
!macroend
;=# Scheduled Tasks
!define QueryTask `!insertmacro _QueryTask` 	;= ${QueryTask} `ApplicationTask` $0 $1
!macro _QueryTask _TASK _ERR1 _ERR2
    ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SCH}" /c schtasks /query /fo csv | find /c "${_TASK}"`  		;= Checks for a task by name
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
    StrCmpS ${_ERR1} 1 0 +3
    StrCmpS ${_ERR2} 1 0 +2
    ${WriteRuntimeData} ${PAL} ${_TASK} true 	;= Writes true for TaskName to runtime ini 
!macroend
!define RemoveTask "!insertmacro _RemoveTask" 	;= ${RemoveTask} `ApplicationTask` $0 $1
!macro _RemoveTask _TASK _ERR1 _ERR2
    ${ReadRuntimeData} $0 ${PAL} ${_TASK} 		;= Reads runtime ini for task
    ${If} $0 == true
        ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SCH}" /end /tn "${_TASK}"` ;= Stops the scheduled task
        Pop ${_ERR1}
        Pop ${_ERR2}
        ExecDos::Exec /TOSTACK `"${SCH}" /delete /tn "${_TASK}" /f` ;= Deletes the scheduled task
    ${EndIf}
    Pop ${_ERR1}
    Pop ${_ERR2}
!macroend
 
;= CUSTOM 
;= ################
${SegmentFile}
${Segment.OnInit}
    Push $0
    ${IsWOW64} $0
    StrCmp $0 0 0 +3
    WriteINIStr `${SETINI}` ${APPNAME}Settings Architecture 32
        Goto END
    System::Call ${DISABLEFSR}
    SetRegView 64	;= NSIS Installers are 32bit processes so set this to write to the 64bit registry
    WriteINIStr `${SETINI}` ${APPNAME}Settings Architecture 64
    END:
    Pop $0
;=# OS check if ${APP} is able to run on host file system
    ${If} ${IsNT}
        ${If} ${IsWinXP}	;= Win2000, WinXP, Win2003, WinVista, Win2008, Win7, Win8, Win2008R2
            ${IfNot} ${AtLeastServicePack} 3
                MessageBox MB_ICONSTOP|MB_TOPMOST `${PORTABLEAPPNAME} requires Service Pack 3 or newer`
                Call Unload
                Quit
            ${EndIf}
        ${ElseIfNot} ${AtLeastWinXP}
            MessageBox MB_ICONSTOP|MB_TOPMOST `${PORTABLEAPPNAME} requires Windows XP or newer`
            Call Unload
            Quit
        ${EndIf}
    ${Else}
        MessageBox MB_ICONSTOP|MB_TOPMOST `${PORTABLEAPPNAME} requires Windows XP or newer`
        Call Unload
        Quit
    ${EndIf}
;=# dotNET Check
    ClearErrors
    ${CheckDOTNET} $0 ${DOTNET} ;= Checks for .NET v4.5
    IfErrors 0 +4 ;= If there is no errors then jump 4 lines down.
    MessageBox MB_ICONSTOP|MB_TOPMOST `You must have v$0 or greater of the .NET Framework installed. Launcher aborting!` ;= If the check failed then we alert the user the required version wasn't found.
    Call Unload ;= We call the Unload function here because we failed the .NET check.
    Quit ;= Closes the Launcher
!macroend
${SegmentInit}
;=# Set any %VAR% for use in ${APP}Portable.ini
    SetShellVarContext all	;= Set All for all users scope; Set Current for current user scope
    StrCpy $1 $APPDATA	;= Copies the path to AllUsersAppData instead of current users AppData
    ${SetEnvironmentVariablesPath} PROGRAMDATA $1	;= Can use %PROGRAMDATA% in ${APP}Portable.ini now
    SetShellVarContext current	;= Be sure to set the context back
    ${SetEnvironmentVariablesPath} SYSDIR $SYSDIR
!macroend
${SegmentPre}
;=# Register DLLs
    ${DLL::Backup} `${GUID}` "" "" DLL ;=  Uninstall Local DLL
;=# Services
    ClearErrors
    ${Service::Query} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
    StrCmp $0 "1060" NONE LOCAL
    LOCAL:
        ${WriteRuntimeData} "${SVC}Service" LocalService true
        ${Service::QueryConfig} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
        ${Registry::CopyKey} `${HKLM}` `${PAF}\Keys\${HKLM}` $0
        ${Service::State} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
        ${If} $0 == 1
        ${AndIf} $1 == 1
            ${Service::Stop} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
        ${EndIf}
        ${Service::Remove} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
    NONE:
!macroend
${SegmentPrePrimary}
;=# Register DLLs
    ${DLL::Register} `${DLL}` /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
;=# Services
    ${Service::Create} ${SVC} `` own demand "" /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
    ${Registry::CopyKey} `${PAFKEYS}\${HKLM}` `${HKLM}` $0
    WriteRegStr HKLM "${SVCKEY}" "ImagePath" ""
    Sleep 50
    ${Service::Start} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
;=# Scheduled Tasks
    ${QueryTask} ${TASK} $0 $1 	;= Checks for a scheduled task
!macroend
${SegmentPostPrimary}
;=# Registry DLLs
    ${DLL::UnRegister} `${DLL}` /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
;=# Services
    ${Service::Stop} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
    Sleep 50
    ${Service::Remove} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
    DeleteRegKey HKLM `${SVCKEY}`
;=# Scheduled Tasks
    ${RemoveTask} ${TASK} $0 $1 ;= Removes scheduled task
!macroend
${SegmentUnload}
;=# Register DLLs
    ${DLL::Restore} "" "" DLL
;=# Services
    ${ReadRuntimeData} $0 "${SVC}Service" LocalService
    ${IfNot} ${Errors}
    ${AndIf} $0 == true
        ${Registry::RestoreBackupKey} `${HKLM}` $0
        ${ReadRuntimeData} $R0 "${SVC}Service" LocalPath
        ${IfNot} ${Errors}
            ${Service::Create} ${SVC} `$R0` own demand "" /DISABLEFSR $0 $1
            Sleep 50
            ${Service::Start} ${SVC} /DISABLEFSR $1 $2
        ${EndIf}
    ${EndIf}
;=# dotNET apps may have Usage Logs; Get rid of them using following
    FindFirst $0 $1 `$LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\*` 
    StrCmpS $0 "" +12
    StrCmpS $1 "" +11
    StrCmpS $1 "." +8
    StrCmpS $1 ".." +7
    StrCpy $2 $1 3
    StrCmpS $2 CLR 0 +5
    IfFileExists `$LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\$1\UsageLogs\${APP}.exe.log` 0 +2
    Delete `$LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\$1\UsageLogs\*.log`
    RMDir `$LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\$1\UsageLogs`
    RMDir `$LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\$1`
    FindNext $0 $1
    Goto -10
    FindClose $0
!macroend

Launcher.ini Config Examples

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