# Portable mode

The portable copy of GDM runs from any folder, including a USB stick, without installing anything.

## How it works

`MisterDownloadManager-<version>-portable.zip` holds the same programs as the setup, plus a folder named `data` next to `misterdownloadmanager.exe`. When that folder is there and GDM can write to it, GDM is in portable mode:

- The download list, settings, helpers for video and galleries (yt-dlp, ffmpeg, gallery-dl), torrent data, your [theme files](https://golinkspro-download-manager.web.app/help/themes.html) (`data\themes`) and the logs are kept in `data`, not in your Windows profile.
- Passwords (Sites Logins, the proxy's, debrid accounts) stay in `data` too, instead of in Windows Credential Manager. They are sealed for your Windows account: on another computer, or another account, type them again (and sign in to a debrid account again).
- Nothing is written to the registry.

Delete the `data` folder (or make it read-only) and the same copy behaves like the plain zip: it keeps its data in `%APPDATA%\misterdownloadmanager`.

## Set it up

1. Download `MisterDownloadManager-<version>-portable.zip` from [Releases](https://golinkspro-download-manager.web.app/download.html).
2. Unzip it where you want GDM to live, for example `E:\GDM` on a USB stick.
3. Run `misterdownloadmanager.exe` from there.

On the first start GDM asks for the language; see [Languages](https://golinkspro-download-manager.web.app/help/languages.html).

## What is different

- **Downloads still go to the computer's Downloads folder** unless you change it. To keep them with GDM, set each category's folder in **Options → Save to**. [Carry GDM on a USB stick](https://golinkspro-download-manager.web.app/help/guide-usb-stick.html) shows how.
- **Launch GolinksPRO Download Manager on startup** in **Options → General** is greyed: starting with Windows needs the registry.
- **Browser integration needs the installer.** The browser finds GDM's helper through the registry, so a portable copy can't take downloads from the browser. Use **Add URL**, the clipboard or the drop target instead (see [Adding downloads](https://golinkspro-download-manager.web.app/help/adding-downloads.html)).
- **Tasks → Torrent settings → Open magnet links and .torrent files with GolinksPRO Download Manager** does write to the registry, for your Windows account only. Leave it off to keep the portable copy registry-free.

## Moving between computers

The list keeps each download's full folder path. If Windows gives the USB stick a different drive letter on another computer, check **Options → Save to**, and expect downloads saved under the old letter to be missing until the letter matches again. When GDM is about to save into a folder that doesn't exist, it asks whether to create it.

Quit GDM with **Tasks → Exit** before you unplug the stick, so it saves the list.

## Next steps

- [Tutorial: carry GDM on a USB stick →](https://golinkspro-download-manager.web.app/help/guide-usb-stick.html)
- [Getting started →](https://golinkspro-download-manager.web.app/help/getting-started.html)
- [Options → Save to →](https://golinkspro-download-manager.web.app/help/options.html#save-to)