Let's start with one of the most popular free programs available - the Firefox web browser. Firefox requires a USB memory key with around 30 MB of free space to install and run. Download the portable edition of

the Firefox web browser from the Computeractive website at /apps/ internetifirefoxJ)ortable and, if asked, choose to save it to the Windows desktop. Double-click it to start the installation process. On the first screen select Next, and on the second agree to the license agreement. On the third screen, when prompted to choose a destination folder, click the browse button.

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Select your memory key from the dialogue box and click OK, then click Install. After a few moments, there'll be a new folder on the key containing the portable version of Firefox - double click Firefoxportable to start it up.

Like all portable programs it's a little slow out of the stalls, but once running it's every bit as good as the usual desktop version of Firefox. Swap it between PCs running XP and Vista and all the bookmarks and browsing history will go with it - it's even possible to add themes, which change the look of the browser, and extensions, which add new tools and functions.