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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Obsidian Portable.
Obsidian Portable is a plain-text file markdown note-taking app packaged with a PortableApps.com launcher. It allows you to use Obsidian from a cloud folder, portable drive, or local folder without needing to install it on each PC.This portable distribution lets you carry your entire note-taking environment with you, including all your vaults, plugins, and settings.
The current version is 1.11.5 (Package Version: 1.11.5.0). This portable distribution is regularly updated to include the latest stable Obsidian releases.Previous versions that have been packaged include:
  • 1.11.5 (current)
  • 1.9.12
  • 1.8.7
  • 1.6.5
  • 1.4.13
Installation is straightforward:
1

Download

Download the Obsidian Portable installer from the PortableApps.com page
2

Run the Installer

Run the downloaded installer and choose your installation location (USB drive, cloud folder, or local directory)
3

Launch

Once installed, run ObsidianPortable.exe to start the application
No additional configuration is needed - all settings are stored in the portable directory.
Yes! That’s the beauty of a portable app. You can run Obsidian Portable on any Windows PC without needing administrator rights or installing anything on the host system.Simply plug in your portable drive or access your cloud folder, and run ObsidianPortable.exe. All your vaults, plugins, and settings travel with you.
All data is stored within the portable application directory:
  • Vaults: Stored in your chosen location (can be anywhere, including within the portable directory)
  • Settings: Stored in Data folder within the portable app directory
  • Plugins: Stored within each vault’s .obsidian folder
When you move the portable app, all your settings move with it automatically.
Yes! Obsidian Portable is free to use. The packaging is licensed under GPL-3.0, and Obsidian itself is free for personal use.If you want to support the development:
Absolutely! Obsidian Portable supports all the same plugins and themes as the regular Obsidian installation.You can:
  • Install community plugins from the Community Plugins browser
  • Install themes from the Appearance settings
  • Use core plugins just like the standard version
All plugins are stored within your vault’s .obsidian folder and travel with your portable installation.
To upgrade Obsidian Portable:
1

Download the Latest Version

Download the latest installer from PortableApps.com
2

Run the Installer

Run the installer and point it to your existing installation directory
3

Keep Your Data

The installer will update the application files while preserving your Data folder and settings
Always back up your vaults before upgrading, especially if you’re moving between major versions.
The key differences are:
FeatureObsidian PortableStandard Obsidian
InstallationNo installation neededRequires installation
Settings StoragePortable directoryUser profile
PortabilityRun from any locationTied to PC
UpdatesManual downloadAuto-update available
Admin RightsNot requiredMay be required
Obsidian Portable is ideal if you need to use Obsidian on multiple computers or want everything in one portable location.
Yes! You have several options:
  • Cloud Storage: Place your vault in a cloud folder (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.)
  • Obsidian Sync: Use Obsidian’s official sync service (requires subscription)
  • Git: Use Git for version-controlled syncing
  • Third-party Sync: Use community plugins for syncing
Since Obsidian Portable stores everything in plain markdown files, any file sync solution will work.
Try these troubleshooting steps:
1

Check the Executable

Make sure you’re running ObsidianPortable.exe from the root of the portable app directory
2

Verify File Integrity

Ensure all files were extracted properly and nothing is corrupted
3

Check Permissions

If running from a network drive, ensure you have proper read/write permissions
4

Review Logs

Check the Data folder for any error logs that might indicate what’s wrong
5

Reinstall

If all else fails, try reinstalling (your Data folder will be preserved)
For more help, see the PortableApps.com support page.
Yes! Your data is as safe as the location you store it:
  • All notes are stored as plain markdown files - no proprietary format lock-in
  • You have complete control over where files are stored
  • No data is sent to external servers (unless you use Obsidian Sync)
  • Regular backups are recommended - see our backup best practices
Always back up your vaults regularly, especially when storing them on portable media or cloud storage.

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Still Have Questions?

If you didn’t find your answer here:

Official Obsidian Help

Visit the official Obsidian documentation for app-specific questions

PortableApps Support

Get help with portable app specific issues

GitHub Issues

Report bugs or request features on GitHub

Contributing

Learn how to contribute to Obsidian Portable

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