Universal Extractor

[Lumos]

As mentioned in another thread - here is the most recent version of this which I can find.
It is way up in my top 10 list of most used utilities.
It is a little freeware that does lots of good stuff - extracts 7Z files perfectly. too
Aside of its normal functions, it helps with a great way to portable-ize lots of windows s/w via simple extraction of their installers.

Lots of windows users don't realize that whenever an installer is run - that is tacit permission for it to poop out all sorts of files wherever its maker thought they should go.
This tends to trash up your windows/system files, adds excess operating overhead and NOT ONLY is this the basis for 'winrot' - but can result in slowdowns and krap left behind even if the app is then uninstalled.

A great alternative is to instead extract the contents of any installer, place ALL its needed files in or under its main folder, then make a shortcut for it, if desired - which keeps any damages to a minimum.

Here is my easy/quick method to portable-ize lots of apps=>
The very 1st thing I do with any installable that I want to test is to drop it onto the UE icon on my desktop to see if it can be opened and extracted...
If it can be extracted, I just rearrange the files, delete the stuff meant for installer uses only, make it a shortcut - and viola - instant portable.

The only thing this does not prevent is whatever reg. entries the app wants to make - but for 'fixed' apps that have no ready portables that is a small price to pay IMO.

SIDE NOTE=>

Here's the way to portable-ize apps that I use when UE is NOT able to open an installer:
- Do an actual, traced install using a really good tool for that (I use Uninstall Tool 3.3);
- After it is done and recorded - copy all EXCEPT its own uninstall files to a separate folder;
- Open Uninstall Tool or whatever you use and get rid of the installation including the leftovers in your user folder and many reg. entries;
- Move the copied files/folder to your desired location;
- Make a shortcut to the file 'TextAloudMP3.exe';
- Use the fix that DeVinci so kindly provided to get it regged.
Done.
(Looks like alot of steps, but it only takes a couple of minutes to do.)

I said in another posting that I'd likely package up UE - but there's no need as you can get it directly from the source, here:

Code:

https://github.com/Bioruebe/UniExtract2/releases/download/v2.0.0-beta.4/UniExtractBeta4.zip

That is the best and most recent and updated version that I know of right now.

There is some controversy about it because so many folks have tweaked it to their liking and the original dev quit updating it a while ago - his site is still here, but quite old:
http://legroom.net/software/uniextract

The version linked here comes from another dev:
http://bioruebe.com/dev/uniextract/

And here is info from that page=>

Quote:Universal Extractor is a powerful and well-known tool to extract files from hundreds of different archive types, installers or otherwise compressed files.

It has been created and maintained by Jared Breland until he set it on hiatus/abandoned it after the release of version 1.6.1.

Currently, there are several slightly updated modifications floating around, which consist mainly of helper binary updates. Additionally, some improved versions with auto-updaters, more supported file types and GUI redesigns exist. Sadly, these are scattered around the internet and no central and easy download packages are available.
As a user you would have to search through many forums in a wide variety of languages to even find a link to the program.

Universal Extractor 2 is the most advanced inofficial modification around, aiming at the inclusion of many wanted features, improvement of current ones, ongoing support and a central open-source distribution.
UniExtract 2 started as a simple modification disabling the always-on-top status box and ended with the addition of dozens of extractors to expand the range of supported file types. New – and unique amongst the available modifications – features like a scan-only mode to identify unknown file types using multiple scanning applications, the batch mode or the extraction of audio and video tracks from multimedia files make it stand out against these.

As a short overview here is a list of the core improvements:
Batch mode
Silent mode, not showing any prompts
Scan only mode to determine file types without extracting
Integrated updater
100+ new supported file types
Audio and video extraction for multimedia files
Cascading context menu
Support for password list for common archives
Improved optional status box with progress indicator
New detection methods + more detailed output and error messages
Support for some extractors not shipping with UniExtract as plugins
Resource usage/speed improvements, lots of fixes
First start assistant instead of installer
Full functionality available in no-install version
Auto-using 64 bit versions of extractors if supported by OS

I hope some folks here get some really good use out of this app !!

[bradnie]

Thanx very much for the share.Max reps for your efforts.

[Lumos]

Thanks for the Thanks Bradnie !!

Some tools just make for easier work, and this is one of that sort.

Uninstall Tool is another, as is Partition Wizard Portable and Beyond Compare Portable is very helpful in makking certain that backup copies of important info remain in sync.