Methods for running Reaper from a thumb drive

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Official method

• If you are running Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista, REAPER v1.829 and up automatically install a script that will automatically copy the required files to your USB/Removable drive device. Just run it from the Start menu: Start > All Programs > Reaper > Install REAPER to USB Key.
• If you are running Windows 95/98/ME, you'll have to use one of the following manual methods:

Forum User Shane's Idea:

http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5389

1. Download and install 7-zip (http://www.7-zip.org/).
2. Download the newest version of REAPER.
3. Right click on the REAPER installer, select 7-Zip/Extract Files...
4. In the 7-zip dialog, press OK.
5. Open the resulting folder, and delete the $_OUTDIR, $SYSDIR, and demo song folders.
6. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\yourwindowsid\Application Data\REAPER and copy all the files to the new folder.
7. Copy any special files (like the Lame mp3 dll) from C:\Program Files\REAPER to the new folder.
8. Move the folder to your thumb drive.

Note that you won't be able to run Rewire (I think).

To do updates, just download the REAPER installer, extract using 7-zip, and copy all files into the thumb drive's directory using overwrite. Your .ini files will not be overwritten, because they are not included in the installer.

REAPER Creator, Justin's Thoughts:

1. Install REAPER as normal
2. Run REAPER at least once.
3. "Click Start-->Programs-->REAPER--> Install REAPER to USB key or Removable Media" or proceed with steps 4-6 if you want to do it manually
4. Make G:\reaper (where G: is the flash drive)
5. Copy or move all files and directories from C:\program files\reaper to G:\reaper
6. Copy or move all files and directories from C:\documents and settings\myusername\Application Data\REAPER to G:\reaper

Response from "Shane"

...and then you can apply updates using the 7-zip extract/copy overwrite method described above. Just don't try recording directly to a flash drive, as their maximum read/write speed is much less than a normal drive...

Forum Help Desk "Art Evans" Suggestion:

From http://www.cockos.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4703 :

You can either install from the installer, specifying your usb key as the destination, or you can simply copy C:\Program Files\Reaper directory onto the key. The advantage of that method is that all your keyboard shortcuts and color themes will be on the key. The disadvantage is that if you've got other stuff in the Reaper directory (projects and what have you) then you'll need to do some weeding or selective copying.

If you do decide on an install from the installer, you can copy your own KeyMaps and Color Themes folders onto the key over the top of those created by the installer.

Now, copy the contents of C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\REAPER into the same directory on the USB key that you've got Reaper.exe in.

Lastly, if you want to have a selection of your own vst effects on the key, copy them into the Reaper\Plugins\FX folder on the key. They can be in a subdirectory of that folder, or even in sub-sub directories. REAPER will load them at startup without you having to specify where they are in preferences (which is important because the usb key will appear as different drive letters on different PCs).

Now, navigate to reaper.exe on the USB key and start REAPER. Go to preferences > Plugins > VST and remove any reference to locations for effects which won't be relevant on other PCs. Maybe remove anything about external editors and control surfaces too.

Lastly, position the windows sensibly on the screen. For instance, if you have a dual monitor setup, make sure that all the windows open on the main monitor. Otherwise, in other setups, REAPER may try to open those windows on a monitor that isn't there. Size them so that they should open on any reasonable monitor you are likely to encounter. Then exit REAPER which will cause the current setup to be saved to the USB key.

Having gone to that trouble, you might want to back up the contents of the key to a hard drive folder.

Here, I've loaded the program and a slew of 3rd party effects onto a 128Mb key quite easily.

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