# Portable version of JabRef

**URL:** <https://discourse.jabref.org/t/portable-version-of-jabref/1494>\
**Category:** Features\
**Created:** [February 1, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/portable-version-of-jabref/1494 "2019-02-01T19:15:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sharboo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@sharboo](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/sharboo)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/portable-version-of-jabref/1494/1 "2019-02-01T19:15:46Z")

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It would very very great to get a portable version of JabRef (stand alone requiring no installation). Is this in the works anywhere? How hard would it be to program it?

Assuming the target computer has a working Java environment, it would be great to run JabRef from a disc or USB flash drive.

Thank you for looking into it.

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**Author:** ![tobiasdiez](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/tobiasdiez/32/340_2.png) [@tobiasdiez](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/tobiasdiez)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 9:55am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/portable-version-of-jabref/1494/2 "2019-02-02T09:55:13Z")

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This is already possible. You can download the [jar version of JabRef](https://www.fosshub.com/JabRef.html) and then put it on an usb stick. Simply double-click it to start JabRef, no installation required. There is also a switch in the preferences which allows to store the preferences in a file next to the jar, so that you don’t have to re-configure JabRef on each PC from the start.

Since this information is somewhat hidden and not well-documented, may I ask you to add a few sentences to our [help page](https://github.com/JabRef/help.jabref.org/blob/gh-pages/CONTRIBUTING.md). Thanks!

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**Author:** ![koppor](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/discourse.jabref.org/koppor/32/5_2.png) [@koppor](https://discourse.jabref.org/u/koppor)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 3:55am UTC](https://discourse.jabref.org/t/portable-version-of-jabref/1494/3 "2019-10-10T03:55:22Z")

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We even included the runtime environment now. You can find …portable… files at [http://builds.jabref.org/master/](http://builds.jabref.org/master/)

Still requesting documentation help!