The disadvantage of installed software is that normally it cannot be moved to another place by simply copying its directory or exe file.

The installer can also register extra components in the system to enable additional functionality in the application, which cannot be done in a portable application, and which is the main advantage of installers. Before the application can be launched, it requires an installation process, during which the installer places the application into a specific folder (usually Program Files), creates shortcuts, places configuration settings into the system user profile, and adds an uninstaller.

Installer is an application packaged into an installation program.

To remove portable software from your computer, you simply need to exit the application and delete its folder. If you copy the configuration files together with the executable file to another location or media, all your settings will be carried across too. Portable software creates configuration files in its folder and usually doesn't change anything in the system. It can be placed in a folder on your computer, a USB flash drive, or any other removable media, and launched from there straight away.

Portable application is a standalone executable file.

Some of our software products are offered in two editions: portable and installer.

Xterm portable