Portable Mode

GpgFrontend offers a Portable Mode to provide users with maximum flexibility and convenience, particularly for running the application from removable storage devices (such as USB drives) or non-standard locations, without leaving traces on the host system.

When Portable Mode is enabled, GpgFrontend stores all user data, configuration files, secure keys, logs, and other runtime files directly within the application’s directory structure, rather than using the system’s default user data folders. This design allows users to move or back up the entire application and its environment easily.

Note: Starting from version 2.1.9, Portable Mode is enabled by adding PortableMode=true to the ENV.ini file in the working directory. In earlier versions (prior to v2.1.9), Portable Mode was activated by creating an empty file named PORTABLE.txt in the working directory.

Key Features

Self-Contained Environment: All configuration, logs, application data (data_objs/), secure keys, and modules are stored within the portable directory. Nothing is written to system user directories.
No System Traces: Running in Portable Mode avoids leaving personal or sensitive data on the host system, making it ideal for shared or temporary environments.
Cross-Platform Consistency: Portable Mode works consistently across supported operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS (AppImage, Flatpak, etc.).

How to Enable Portable Mode

Portable Mode can be enabled via the application’s configuration:

In the application’s working directory, create or edit the file ENV.ini.
Add the following line to the file:
```
PortableMode=true
```
Save the file and restart GpgFrontend.

Once enabled, the application will operate entirely in Portable Mode, with all files stored relative to the application’s own directory.

Notes

First Launch: You can enable Portable Mode at any time, but it is recommended to do so before initial setup to ensure all data is stored portably from the beginning.
AppImage/Flatpak Support: On Linux, GpgFrontend can detect and adapt to being run as an AppImage or within a Flatpak container, and will place user data within the application directory accordingly.
Disabling Portable Mode: To revert to standard mode, simply set PortableMode=false in the ENV.ini file or remove the line, then restart the application. Data previously stored in portable locations will remain, but new data will be saved to the default system directories.