Installation and Use

Get the program

Save the file somewhere easy to find — your Downloads folder is fine.

Download PortaPuter
  1. Part 1

    Make a copy of your old computer

    1. 1On the computer you want to bring along, open Downloads and run PortaPuterCapture-Setup.
    2. 2Click through the setup — nothing to change.
    3. 3PortaPuter Capture opens with your computer's name pre-filled. Press Enter to accept it.
    4. 4Pick where to save the copy (Desktop is fine), then click Start.
    5. 5Your BitLocker recovery key appears on screen. A copy is also saved to your desktop as PortaPuter-BitLocker-Recovery.txt — keep that file.
    6. 6The capture runs on its own. Anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on how full your computer is.
    7. 7When it finishes, a folder named PortaPuter-YourComputerName sits on your desktop.
  2. Part 2

    Install the portable copy

    1. 1Open the PortaPuter-YourComputerName folder. (If you want to use it on a different computer, copy the folder over with a USB stick first.)
    2. 2Run Install inside it.
    3. 3Wait a few minutes. A Run PortaPuter VM shortcut appears on the desktop.
  3. Part 3

    Open your old desktop

    1. 1Double-click Run PortaPuter VM.
    2. 2A black window opens with scrolling text — that's the boot. After 30 seconds to 2 minutes, your old desktop appears inside.
    3. 3Click inside to start using it. Shut it down the normal way when you're done.
    If the window stays black for more than five minutes, close it and ask whoever sent you for help.