Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and answers about Obsidian Portable

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Obsidian Portable.

What is 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.

What version of Obsidian is currently included?

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

How do I install Obsidian Portable?

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.

Can I use Obsidian Portable on any Windows PC?

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.

Where are my vault files and settings stored?

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.

Is Obsidian Portable free to use?

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:

• Support Obsidian development through Obsidian Unlimited
• Support the portable packaging through Ko-fi
• Support PortableApps.com hosting through their donation page

Can I use plugins with Obsidian Portable?

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.

How do I upgrade to a newer version?

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.

What's the difference between Obsidian Portable and the standard installer?

The key differences are:

Feature	Obsidian Portable	Standard Obsidian
Installation	No installation needed	Requires installation
Settings Storage	Portable directory	User profile
Portability	Run from any location	Tied to PC
Updates	Manual download	Auto-update available
Admin Rights	Not required	May be required

Obsidian Portable is ideal if you need to use Obsidian on multiple computers or want everything in one portable location.

Can I sync my vaults across devices?

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.

I'm having issues launching Obsidian Portable. What should I do?

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.

Is my data safe with Obsidian Portable?

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.

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