Google Chrome Portable

CNET Editors' review

Google Chrome is a free Web browser that's become a legitimate contender due to its speed and versatility. It's especially easy for programmers to create and share extensions that add useful capabilities to the basic Chrome engine and framework. We looked at Google Chrome Portable, a portable version of Chrome from PortableApps. PortableApps modifies popular open source programs for portability, packaging them with an installer that copies the program file to a destination of your choice, which can be on your hard drive or a removable device such as a USB drive or memory stick. All you have to do is click the executable file to run the program without having to install it in Windows or alter the directory.

If you haven't tried Chrome yet, you've probably had a whiff of it since other browsers are copying many of its features and functions, such as the versatile Omnibar address bar and its simplified interface. Chrome consistently kicks apps in browser speed tests, and it doesn't get as bloated and dumpy as the others do when you've customized them with add-ons. No browser's add-ons add on as quickly and easily as Chrome's, and they're easy to manage from the Extensions page on the Tools menu, which is accessed by clicking the wrench icon on the interface. Google Chrome Portable seems to perform exactly like the installed version, with pretty much all the features and extras.

So what makes Google Chrome Portable different from Google Chrome? Since it's portable, it doesn't leave your encrypted passwords behind, which means you can't retrieve them on another machine. However, PortableApps includes password portability as an advanced function that users must enable. More significant is digital certificate storage: Google Chrome Portable uses Windows for certificates, so any certificates it installs are saved in the local copy of Windows and won't travel with you, plus they'll be accessible from that particular machine. Therefore, you shouldn't use any private certificates with it, except on your own PC.

Publisher's Description

More Popular Web Browsers downloads

  1. Google Chrome

    119,834 downloads

  2. Mozilla Firefox

    86,456 downloads

  3. Opera

    17,100 downloads

  4. SlimBrowser

    16,352 downloads

  5. Apple Safari

    11,122 downloads

  6. Google Chrome Portable

    11,000 downloads

  7. Mozilla Firefox Portable

    10,467 downloads

  8. Internet Explorer

    6,891 downloads

  9. Internet Explorer

    6,220 downloads

All User Reviews

Results 1-10 of 15

  • 4.0 stars

    "I love the way I can navigate from place to place."

    June 2, 2012  |   By mmddlove777

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 19.0.1084.52

    Pros

    Bookmarking options are so handy. I think IE is outdated as far as the browser and only have it as a backup in case of a total crash. Google chrome is by far the most effecient way to use a laptop in my opinion.

    Cons

    aw snap, and flash player are not responding correctly. My recently restored computer is running a bit slower as well. It should not be.

    Summary

    I am thinking of uninstalling chrome again as I did before my laptop was restored with windows discs, by me, less than 2 months ago. My browser (chrome) has only been on my computer for that length of time as well.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "A bitter disappointment"

    February 20, 2012  |   By Azraelsrl

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 17.0.963.56

    Pros

    Nothing worth mentioning here.

    Cons

    Huge install footprint (over 200 MB), slow as a snail, filled absolutely to the brim with other Google services that i didn't want or requested, basically impossible to tweak (installing preapproved addons isn't tweaking), not really portable - it leaves a lot of traces in the host pc, and finally not secure enough - using one is basically inviting Google to monitor whatever you do and there's no way to remove/deny that.

    Summary

    Using it is worse than having a root canal done. Going back to Opera Portable.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "This is all you need for fast surfing!"

    December 23, 2011  |   By strikemaster1

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 16.0.912.63

    Pros

    Does exactly what I want to do...and fast!

    Cons

    None I can see

    Summary

    If I want a browser thats has the lot, but takes forever to load and takes up half the screen with useless icons and such, then I will get a browser to do that ... like FF and IE etc, BUT for speed and service, there is only one at the moment, and that is Chrome.

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  • 4.0 stars

    ""Flash Player Crashes too Often""

    November 1, 2011  |   By tonybuttino

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 15.0.874.106

    Pros

    Great to use on a computer, user friendly, very easy to customize.

    Cons

    Flash player crashes constantly, can't use it for more than 10 or 15 minutes without this happening on Google TV. On my computer, it's fine and i don't seem to have any issues.

    Summary

    Fix to issue with flash player crashing all the time...and you get 5 stars!

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  • 3.0 stars

    "good fast browser but flash player still crashes"

    October 28, 2011  |   By gregbauder

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 15.0.874.106

    Pros

    simple to use and customize

    Cons

    flash player crashes constantly

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Love it! Loads quick, easy to use."

    October 28, 2011  |   By fricard

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 15.0.874.106

    Pros

    Speed
    Simplicity
    Customizable

    Cons

    none at this time

    Summary

    The only one I use!

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Works beautifully!"

    September 8, 2011  |   By fricard

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 13.0.782.220

    Pros

    Can 'install' it at work without needing administrator installation rights.

    Cons

    Can't see any yet.

    Summary

    Works like my regular install at home.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "it does a good job"

    June 27, 2011  |   By nancyF18

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 12.0.742.100

    Pros

    it does a good job

    Cons

    it takes a half a dozen times or more to get it to down load it still has not

    Summary

    I like google

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  • 4.0 stars

    "see bottom line summary!"

    June 26, 2011  |   By sickmickdiscotrick

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 12.0.742.100

    Pros

    see bottom line summary!

    Cons

    see bottom line summary!

    Summary

    Now you know that Google Chrome is the Chromiest! Keep up the good work!

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Great browser. This version is portable"

    May 15, 2011  |   By capitanflorius

    Version: Google Chrome Portable 11.0.696.68

    Pros

    This browser is one of my prefer!!
    Download istallation file and clic on, start istallation and then it ends istallation with link to internet for downloading all the program. Therefore istallation is easy and gives not problems.

    Cons

    No con at this moment.

    Summary

    Chrome has may ad ons to install in for more customizzation.
    Fast, Good.
    I recommand this software to all users who need a portable browser of good quality.

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Results 1-10 of 15

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