Several years ago, we looked at Cameyo which allowed you to create portable versions of just about any app. The company now offers an even cooler service: running Windows apps in a browser window.

VirtualBox is our favourite virtualisation program, but it needs to be properly installed with Windows kernel drivers and system services. Portable VirtualBox lets you install VirtualBox on a USB drive or external hard drive so you can run your virtual machines anywhere.

Ever wanted a copy of Windows you can take with you wherever you go, to use on any computer you want? Here's how to install a portable version of Windows 8 on a USB hard drive that you can take anywhere.

MagicPlan is a design app for Android and iOS that lets you create 3D floorplans with your phone. Whether you work in real estate, are in the process of renovating your house or just want to measure your bedroom, this app is a great time-saving solution with a slick interface to boot.

There are lots of killer productivity apps out there, but you might be left out of the party if you work somewhere with strict IT policies. It can be hard to convince your IT department to let you install Evernote or a Chrome app to help you get things done. Here's how to stay productive with the tools you probably already have and sneak in some of your favourites.

Windows: Portable applications are handy for running applications from a USB stick or using an app without messing with your Windows installation. For the remainder, Zero Install can run software without installing it.

Getting around in a big city can be a challenge, but it needn't be when you have one of those futuristic computer phones in your pocket that happens to know your location. With the aid of your smartphone, getting around is a breeze. Here are our favourite apps for taxis and transport.

Windows 8 has a new bootloader with a graphic interface and troubleshooting options. However, it's harder now to quickly get to advanced options or load a different OS. Boot UI Tuner solves this problem, allowing you to configure your boot options and tweak the bootloader.

How would you like to take your Mac with you in your pocket? Until Apple builds a Macbook Mini, the most portable, powerful Mac you'll ever have is the one you set up yourself. All you need is a USB hard drive and a little time for a perfect, portable copy of your Mac that you can use to boot other Macs, clone a loaned computer or keep a headless backup for troubleshooting wherever you go.

Windows/Mac: TorChat is an instant messenger client that makes encrypted, anonymous chat and sharing files with your friends incredibly easy. Built on Tor's location-hiding services, nobody will be able to see what you're doing or who you're contacting.

If James Bond logs on to a computer, he doesn't want to leave a bunch of files, cookies or his IP address out there for someone to find. It might seem extreme, but sometimes it's a good idea to take the same precautions yourself.

Windows is great. The way Windows installs applications, however, is an out-of-date mess, adding local dependencies and unnecessary cruft to your system. In this day and age, there's no reason to stick with Windows' antediluvian default. What's the alternative? Using portable apps, you can install an app once, have all of the necessary files in one place, and even sync its settings across different machines with Dropbox. Handy, right? Here's how it works, and why you should do it.

Ordinarily, you can't copy text from a Windows popup or error message. GetWindowText is a tiny portable app that will let you grab the text from any window so you can easily Google that message.

Windows 7: When you sit down at your computer in the morning, you probably have a handful of applications you open at once to start your day. Windows 7 App Launcher (7APL) can open select applications or groups of applications with a single click, or you can bind application groups to key commands and open all of your "work apps" or "gaming apps" with a keystroke.

Windows: Whether you're looking to try out Linux or create a Windows troubleshooting tool, LiLi will create a powerful Linux thumb drive, letting you pick your distribution, save data between reboots, or even launch your mobile OS right from Windows.

Windows: ClipCube is a little clipboard history tool that lives in your system tray, silently keeping track of everything you copy for as long as you'd like.

There are tons of awesome live, bootable Linux systems, but what if you need to run OS X? Reader Will shows us how to put a portable version of OS X on a thumb drive and boot it on (most) Intel computers.

Windows only: That extra thumb drive you have lying around is great for portable apps suites, but if you'd rather leave out the hardware altogether, free web service Spoon lets you run a ton of Windows programs right from the cloud.

Windows only: Maybe you don't have time to create gradient colour fades, embedded calendars and interactive clocks into your desktop. SE-DesktopConstructor is a simplified desktop configuration tool for those who aren't in need of every widget there is.