NationStates Jolt Archive

I've always wondered if I could install a program on an external device, such as a USB stick. Is it possible? And would it allow you to use the program on several computers? *inconspicuously pokes Age of Empires 2*

I'm pretty sure you can, one of my friends installed Firefox on a school computer.

I'm pretty sure you can, one of my friends installed Firefox on a school computer.

They might have put the installation file on the USB stick.

I've always wondered if I could install a program on an external device, such as a USB stick. Is it possible? And would it allow you to use the program on several computers? *inconspicuously pokes Age of Empires 2*
No. You would have to install the programme on each computer.

I've always wondered if I could install a program on an external device, such as a USB stick. Is it possible? And would it allow you to use the program on several computers? *inconspicuously pokes Age of Empires 2*
depends on the OS. XP loads alot of things on the registry, so while you may be able to run AoE2 off of a thumb drive, you are stuck using it on that one computer. unless you load AoE2 on each computer you use.

so far I have only tried to carry around the install file on my thumb drive, it works.......otherwise I don't know.

Who the hell calls them a thumb drive...that doesn't even make sense

EDIT: Timewarp ftw

Some programs don't require an install program to use and can be put on a plain USB drive; however, if you get a U3 drive, you can install anything on it, I think.

You definitely can. PC Mag did a story on putting things like Firefox and virus scanners on a thumb drive.

Tada! http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1849710,00.asp

Who the hell calls them a thumb drive...that doesn't even make sense

EDIT: Timewarp ftw

Well, they are...
http://www.gadgetspy.co.uk/wp-content/photos/usb_thumb_drive.JPG

Some specifically design programs can be installed on and run off a USB stick.

Some specifically design programs can be installed on and run off a USB stick.And certain older programs that don't need to nestle in the registry and whatnot.

Firefox portable is usefull if you want access to your own browser wherever you go. It's what I'm using right now as a matter of fact.

Who the hell calls them a thumb drive...that doesn't even make sense

EDIT: Timewarp ftw

that's what everyone calls them around here.......:confused:

Some programs don't require an install program to use and can be put on a plain USB drive; however, if you get a U3 drive, you can install anything on it, I think.

Interesting...

that's what everyone calls them around here.......:confused:

Never heard that before today...

I googled it and found lots of references to thumb drives.

Ye can never trust that evil thing...

My mom just said jump drive...and I think thats what my family says...I call it USB stick, which is what it is...

EDIT: Damn Timewarps..

Around here we call it a flash drive.

I googled it and found lots of references to thumb drives.

They're called pen drives or memory sticks here, which are just as silly since they're neither pens nor sticks.

Never heard that before today...
I googled it and found lots of references to thumb drives.

Around here we call it a flash drive.......I wonder why.

That's the type of drive they tend to be. I have no idea what exactly a flash drive is however.

I googled it and found lots of references to thumb drives.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb_flash_drive) has made its ruling.

I've always wondered if I could install a program on an external device, such as a USB stick. Is it possible? And would it allow you to use the program on several computers? *inconspicuously pokes Age of Empires 2*

I'm pretty sure you would be able to run AOE2 off it, but many programs write a lot of garbage to registry, those probably would not run.

Depends on the program. Some of them keep to themselves in a very tidy folder where they can find the libraries they need to run. Others think they own the place and like to sprawl all over the hard drive and registry leaving socks, mud stains, and finger prints everywhere and if they can't find them they get upset.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb_flash_drive) has made its ruling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_names_for_USB_flash_drive

Thumb drive (TM)

apparently it's one of those things where around here all soda is Coke.

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usb_flash_drive) has made its ruling.WinXP here calls it a "USB device for mass storage" (translated from dutch)

Ye can never trust that evil thing...

My mom just said jump drive...and I think thats what my family says...I call it USB stick, which is what it is...

EDIT: Damn Timewarps..

I'm pretty sure jump drives are something else entirely.

I just call it "the thingie"

I'm pretty sure jump drives are something else entirely.

No, I think its one of the trademarked names...

IIRC, flash drive is a hot one...you can plug and unplug without problems. The earlier ones (thumb drive?) needs to be "safely remove hardwared" before unplugging from USB slot if you don't want data loss or some such crap.

To the OP, yeah you can install programs, I guess, if it has the space. But I don't think you can run it from any computer, since registry will be missing. Maybe some old games like those pacman etc :p which don't bother with registry.

I run stuff off of mine all the time. Though anything complex usually gets FUBARed

Around here we call it a flash drive.

Same here. Well the educated ones do. Everyone else refers to them as USBs. *shakes head in disgust*

Yes, you can.
what you have to do Is save the setup intallation of the program on your thumb drive and just move to A different computer and go into the "Removeable F Drive" in "My computer" and install the program from there.