PostgreSQL Portable

PostgreSQLPortable is an open source database packaged as a portable app, so you can run a full PostgreSQL database on your iPod, USB flash drive, portable hard drive, etc. It has all the same features as PostgreSQL, plus, it leaves no personal information behind on the machine you run it on, so you can take it with you wherever you go.

Current Version: PostgreSQL 18.1

Features

• No installation required. Simply download, extract and run!
• Runs a complete PostgreSQL Server instance.
• Does not require a local "postgres" user account or administrator privileges, works for any user.
• Completely portable - runs off a USB, cloud drive (DropBox, iCloud drive, etc.)
• Packaged in PortableApps.com format for easy integration.
• Automatic database initialization on first run.

Installation

Option 1: Online Installer (Recommended)

• Download PostgreSQLPortable_18.1_online.paf.exe
• Run the installer and choose your installation location
• The installer will automatically download and set up PostgreSQL 18.1
• MD5 hash verification ensures download integrity

Option 2: Pre-installed Package

• Download PostgreSQLPortable18.1.zip
• Extract to any location
• Run PostgreSQLPortable.exe - no installation required!

System Requirements

• Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, or 7 (64-bit)
• ~120 MB disk space for installation (additional space for databases)
• PortableApps.com Platform (Optional)

Usage

1. Run PostgreSQLPortable.exe
2. On first run, the database will automatically initialize
3. PostgreSQL server starts and opens a psql session
4. Type \q to quit and shutdown the server

Default Configuration:

• Port: 5432
• Database: postgres
• Username: postgres
• Authentication: Trust (no password for local connections)

Upgrading from Previous Versions

⚠️ Important: This is a major version upgrade from PostgreSQL 10.4.1 to 18.1.

Existing databases are not automatically compatible. To upgrade:

1. Backup your databases using pg_dumpall from the old version
2. Install PostgreSQL Portable 18.1
3. Restore your databases using psql or pg_restore

Credits

• PostgreSQL Portable is a redistribution of the PostgreSQL Database Server.
• Built using the PortableApps.com Platform.

Licence

• Portable application code released under the MIT licence.
• The PostgreSQL database is released under the PostgreSQL Licence.

Links