[Solved] Update OpenOffice portable version

[boristhemoggy]

I am using OpenOffice 4.1.14 portable version on Windows 10. It keeps telling me that OpenOffice 4.1.15 is available. However how do I install the new portable version but still retain my settings?

[LastUnicorn]

I will assume that you are using OpenOffice Portable from PortableApps.

To update it manually download the installer file from PortableApps and just point the installer to the folder in which you have your current OpenOffice installed to. It will update the application files as necessary but you will not lose your settings (as the installer doesn't delete them anyway).

If you are using the PortableApps Platform then just give the Platform permission to upgrade OpenOffice and the Platform will take care of the rest, you will not lose your settings.

For more details on this see: Upgrading a Portable App

[boristhemoggy]

I didn't even know I was using a Portable apps file, I don't go there anymore cos of there thousands of third party cookies that they force on you. Will it spoil things if I simply swap my existing install manually for a new one from you?

[LastUnicorn]

This is a forum for users of OpenOffice and LibreOffice and any issues they have with the software. This forum is not directly connected to the development and downloading of OpenOffice/LibreOffice.

If you download the official (non-portable) edition of OpenOffice directly from Apache and attempt to install it to your folder containing the PortableApps edition of OpenOffice you will break the portability of the PortableApps edition that you currently have installed — so, no, do not do this.

As a 'beginner' you seem not clued up on how to deal with PortableApps. In that instance I would strongly advise that you download the PortableApps.com Platform and use that to install and automatically update your PortableApps. You can manage all that from within the Platform. (I do not use the Platform myself so can't comment much further on how to use it.) If you go down this path then, to keep things simple, you will need to redo your settings for OpenOffice. So do the following:

(1) Download the Platform. Note: when you download the Platform click on the webpage to see the instructions on how to install the Platform. The instructions appear once the download is initiated.

(2) Install the Platform (warning: do not install it as a subfolder of 'Program Files' or 'Program Files (x86)' folders on your system. Do install it to a folder like this, for example: D:\PortableAppsPlatform. If you do that it will put all PortableApps you install into that folder (keeps things neat and tidy).

(3) Once installed launch the Platform using Start.exe and select what software you want it to install. The Platform will download the app and do the install for you.

(4) Once OpenOffice is installed use the Platform menus to launch your new instance of OpenOffice and then step through the settings for OpenOffice.

(5) In future (I would assume if you set it up that way) the Platform will automatically download and install updates to your already installed portable apps. And when it does that it will not delete your settings.

(6) If you install extensions to your OpenOffice Portable then when you get the option to install the extension select the 'Only For Me' option — do not install 'For All Users'. If you do not follow this rule then you break the portability of your OpenOffice Portable or LibreOffice Portable.

All the above said you would be well advised to forget about OpenOffice Portable and use LibreOffice Portable (Still) instead. There are several good reasons for making the switch anyway, some of which are mentioned here: [Tutorial] Considering a Switch from OpenOffice to LibreOffice? Some Useful Information Note: that thread deals with a normal install of LibreOffice not with the portable implementation, but the general points all apply to LibreOffice Portable anyway.

In any case, you can use the Platform to install both OpenOffice Portable and LibreOffice Portable and test both to see which is best to your liking.

If you don't want to use the Platform then follow my initial instructions for updating manually in my first post for this issue. I can't say I've ever had any problems with PortableApps website and cookies. If you want to update manually and won't download manually from PortableApps then you are setting for yourself an impossible hurdle to clear — your choice I suppose, can't help with that.

[LastUnicorn]

I spoke too soon. If you want to download an 'installer' file for OpenOffice Portable without going to the PortableApps website then you can get a copy of the 'installer' from here (among other places I discovered): Major Geeks - OpenOffice Portable This would still be the PortableApps edition of OpenOffice, you just aren't downloading it from the PortableApps website.

[boristhemoggy]

Thanks for a very detailed reply. I'm no newbie, I am very familiar with Portable apps. But a couple of years ago they installed thousands of cookies from third parties so I choose not to use them anymore. I certainly don't want to get into using their platform, as I don't really have control anymore.
I don't use extensions, but I prefer to update OpenOffice from it's own files, but I think you're saying that OpenOffice does not support a portable option unless I use PortableApps. In which case I think I will just use the existing version I have as I'm sure the new release probably has nothing that I need to worry about in it.
I also have LibreOffice but it has 'quirks' that I dislike. I much prefer OpenOffice.
You're quite offhand and negative about my choice to not use PortableApps. I've explained why I won't. If there is no way around it then I will be happy to continue with what I have, explore as to whether there might be files I can isolate as having 'settings' in them. If that is not the case I'm content to carry on with an old version as my needs are pretty simple anyway. The only thing that seems impossible to do in either is set a new default font. I can barely believe the lengths you have to go through to achieve that and I never have managed it. It looks like that very simple thing is never going to change so I'll just soldier on.
Thanks again for all your help.

[LastUnicorn]

If there is no way around it then...

Download from Major Geeks - OpenOffice Portable 4.1.5 As mentioned above.

[boristhemoggy]

If there is no way around it then...

Download from Major Geeks - OpenOffice Portable 4.1.5 As mentioned above.

Sorry my window didn't update so I didn't see the comment about MajorGeeks. I should have tried that anyway I've been using it now and again for about 20 years! Thanks so much for your help.