Universal Extractor

Universal Extractorallows you to extract setup files. This may come handy when you would like to see what files are in it and if you know that the software is portable, you shouldn’t install it to get it work.

However, UE cannot extract every kind of setup file.


We’ll see how to use UE with a software called Hotkeyz. HotKeyz is a keyboard utility with hotkey control for executing other files, folders or RUN commands. And it is portable, so if we can extract it with UE, we can use it immediately.

To use Universal Extractor, launch “UniExtract.exe” from “ToolsUniversal Extractor” directory. Drag and drop the installer of Hotkeyz (“InstallHotkeyzhtkz2600.exe”) to Universal Extractor’s window and click on OK. Universal Extractor will extract files from the installer (which was created with Inno Setup as you can see while unpacking).

A new directory is created by Universal Extractor, called “htkz2600″. In this directory, there’s a directory called {app} and the install script, install_script.iss.

Because we want program files only, install_script.iss file can be deleted. However, you may open this file with a text editor and see what changes would make the installer if we run it.

In the {app} directory you can find the main program files. Because Hotkeyz is portable, you may launch it with the executable “Hotkeyz.exe”.

In other cases you’ll find more than one directories after extracting the setup file. You should examine the files in them. If you’re not sure whether the program is originally portable or not, use Total Uninstall to capture changes when running it for the first time. Maybe it copies files or creates directories, creates registry keys and entries, and so on.

If you find a directory named “sys” then it contents would be copied to “Windows” or “WindowsSystem32″ directory. Try to copy these files to the main directory, where the main exe is located, because many software will use them from there.

If the program is serial-protected, you should also use Total Uninstall to monitor changes when entering registration info.

So Universal Extractor may come handy in many cases. It can reduce the time you spend on creating your portable, but use it with care. If UE can extract a setup file and if you can launch the software right after the extraction it does not mean that it is also portable. You should always investigate what changes does it make to your system before you can say that it’s portable.