Introduction: How to Autorun Portable Apps Off of a CD
Here, you can learn how to put free apps on CD. You can run an application without creating any files on the computer, so you can pop it in and out of PCs without causing any disruption. It's also great if the computer you want to work on has restrictions on it. My school doesn't block Autorun files that lead to EXEs, but does block opening a flash drive in Windows Explorer, so this is my solution.
This includes basic coding (don't worry, it's all copy and paste). If you just want to learn how to make simple autorun files, just go straight to step 3.
Inspired by this instructable by marijnboz
You will Need:
-CD burner
-CD-R or CD-RW
Step 1: Get the App
Go to http://portableapps.com/ and click on Applications. Choose your app, download the setup file, and run the setup file. You can even use the Portable Apps Suite and get all the apps on one CD; it is under the 700MB file-size of a standard CD. I am using GIMP for simplicity.
Step 2: Extract the App
Install the app to a new folder on your PC. Open the folder up, and check for the name of the main Executable file.
Step 3: Create the AutoRun File
[autorun]open= FILENAMEHERE.exe
...and of course replace the FILENAMEHERE.exe with the filename of the main executable.
Save the file as autorun.inf inside of the new folder you created.
Step 4: Run It Once
This step will quicken the future startup process, and eliminate some potential errors. Open up the app and run it once. Change the settings to your liking. These settings will be UNCHANGABLE (if you are using a CD-R or DVD-R) once you burn it.
Step 5: Prepare to Burn
Insert the blank CD, and open up MY COMPUTER, and double click on your CD burner drive.
Step 6: Start Burning!
copy and paste the contents of your work folder into the CD drive. This should initiate the burning process.
Step 7: You're Done!
Once the CD is burnt and finished, label it with a sharpie and store it away. Now, just pop it into any CD drive anywhere and it should autorun the application.
