Hey everyone,
I've been having trouble starting any portable app for a while now. Whenever I try, I get an error code 0x000007b with a message saying the application can't start. That's pretty much all the info I get.
The weird thing is, this isn't a "it never worked" situation. I've always loved using portable apps. But for some time now, I just can't get them to launch. It doesn't matter if I try to start them through the PortableApps.com launcher or if I go directly into the app's folder and run the .exe myself – they simply refuse to start.
Here's what I've already tried, just to save you some time:
# I've reinstalled all the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables. I even went to GitHub to get an all-in-one package to update every framework and
runtime I could think of.
# I've made sure the PortableApps.com Platform itself is updated to the latest version.
# I even enlisted the help of an AI assistant (DeepSeek – nice tool, by the way!) to troubleshoot this. We had a good laugh when it suggested I
should "ask on the forum"... which is why I'm here now. Talk about irony!
So, with all that said... does anyone have a genius idea or a lightbulb moment about what could be causing this?
My system: Windows 10 Pro, 32GB RAM. The portable apps are on a USB stick that still has about 90GB of free space.
Any pointers would be hugely appreciated 
Greetings, Joeysfalsa
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Your OS is the problem, since you're the only one encountering this issue is only one PC.
'Life is a strategy game, where roles are already distributed'
― Neo Buddha ―
Did you enable Windows' enhanced memory protections for apps? That will break the PA.c Launcher at present. Have you tried temporarily installing and running from your Desktop directory to rule out your drive?
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
To Test Portable Apps Launcher and all his programms that i download it, i used it bevor it stops to work on my HDD Drive. Than i copy all to my USB Pen Drive.
The result is the same. Apps could not start.
No i start my Win11 Notebook, put the USB Pen Drive in a free slot , and It Works like it should. Every Portable App starts from the Launcher.
To your First Question,
Where i can find it in Windows 10 if i maybe use the Memory Protection , like you say. ? Is this a Part of Microsoft Defender?
Launch Windows Security (hit Start and type security),
select Device Security, then click Core Isolation Details. Within there, there's a setting for Memory Integrity which is off by default.select App & browser control, System Settings, make sure "Force randomization for images (Mandatory ASLR)" is off.If that's on, you won't be able to launch PA.c Launcher apps. Some apps like Firefox Portable that have a custom launcher will still work. Turn it back off.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Hey man,
You know what? That memory protection idea you had - that was totally the right track.
So i went into Windows Security and basically hit every "off" swith i could find. Reboot an boom - all portable apps launch right from the launcher. :-o
Then i started the fun part , turning things back on, step by step in the Windwos Security. Until the apps broke again and the stupid
0x000007b error popped back up.
What was happen?
It was under "App & Browser Controll" --> Exploit Protection.
The specifig setting is called "ASLR any thing " That`s the one that has to be switched offf.
Turned that off and everything`s back to working like it should.
Big thanks to you, John T. Haller for pointing me in the right direction
Cheers,
Joeysfals ♥
Yes, that was the one. I just updated my post about it. You're welcome.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!