Does standalone LaTeX exist?

Question

Is there a standalone version of LaTeX that might run of, say, a USB stick? So a version that doesn't need installing. I am looking for something to run under Windows.

This has already been posted at http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9233402/does-standalone-latex-exist (which you might think should be migrated to an appropriate site rather than reposted). — N.N., Feb 10 '12 at 19:41
@N.N Yes, sorry about that. I didn't know that you could migrate like that. I will do that next time this happens. — Thomas, Feb 10 '12 at 19:55
If you want a tiny file, you can use mathjax(http://www.mathjax.org/), with this file (http://jsfiddle.net/Zky72/2/). But you shall need an internet connection. — Manishearth, Feb 11 '12 at 05:39

score 32 · Answer 1 · edited Feb 10 '12 at 23:27

32

TeXLive has options for running from a USB stick.

edited Feb 10 '12 at 23:27

answered Feb 10 '12 at 19:21

PaulRein

5,945
2
16
10

10

This solution is for multiple OSs. – Feb 11 '12 at 00:04

score 18 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 05 '17 at 15:52

18

Update 2014-02: It has been two years since this response was written. As of February 2014, available packages for USB installation are: TexLive option to run from USB stick (for multiple OSes), MikTex Portable, and TexPortable (both Windows).

Original response:

~~I guess you're looking for USBTeX: http://www.exomatik.net/U-Latex/USBTeXEnglish~~

Update 2014-02: USBTeX seems to be no longer maintained; the above URL does not work anymore.

edited Feb 05 '17 at 15:52

symera

123

answered Feb 10 '12 at 19:22

Karolos

304

1

It looks as if this is a windoze only solution. – Feb 11 '12 at 00:03
3

@MarcvanDongen: Of course, since the OP explicitly asked for it. – Karolos Feb 11 '12 at 00:04
2

Thanks for clarifying. I just wanted to add the comment because some answers are for multiple platforms. – Feb 11 '12 at 00:05
OK. I didn't think about that. Good point :) – Karolos Feb 11 '12 at 00:06
@symera: Thanks for pointing this out. I have updated this answer 2 years after to include the current status. – Karolos Feb 12 '14 at 10:42

score 11 · Answer 3 · edited Nov 12 '12 at 11:25

11

MikTex Portable is exactly what you want. It is a "portable" version of MiKTeX, one of the major TeX distributions, by the MiKTeX project itself. It's the first thing to try before considering repackaged distributions.

edited Nov 12 '12 at 11:25

lockstep

250,273

answered Feb 10 '12 at 21:10

pddzaic

119

8

It would be great if the answer would contain more than just a link, such as a short information what MiKTeX Portable offers. An edit would be nice, for future readers. – Stefan Kottwitz Feb 10 '12 at 22:55

symera · Answer 4 · 2017-02-05T15:18:41.030

8

USBTeX is no longer maintained and the link (http://www.exomatik.net/U-Latex/USBTeXEnglish) is broken, so if you still are looking for a portable LaTeX environment for Windows, you could try TexPortable, which you can obtain from here.

Basically it's a combination of MiKTeX, Texmaker and SumatraPDF.

If you're going to give it a try, please let me know if you have any problems.

edited Feb 05 '17 at 15:18

answered Feb 02 '14 at 15:52

symera

123

score 4 · Answer 5 · edited Jun 01 '13 at 21:31

4

The Knoppix DVD has LaTeX(TeXLive distro), Kile,TeXmaker and even Lyx basically pre-installed. It will run in VMWare, VirtualBox, or any other virtualization software. You can download the ISO image. Be advised this is an entire operating system, which runs from the DVD. You can boot into it outright, or just run it in a Virtual Machine. Order CD/DVD online and other KNOPPIX vendors in addition to vendors at distrowatch can send you a DVD for cheap

edited Jun 01 '13 at 21:31

texenthusiast

6,057

answered Feb 11 '12 at 20:21

Mark Hornberger

41

Would you be able to provide a link to the software? – Werner Feb 12 '12 at 00:26
1

You can download the ISO image http://knoppix.net/get.php. Be advised this is an entire operating system, which runs from the DVD. You can boot into it outright, or just run it in a Virtual Machine. OSDisc.org and other vendors (linked to on distrowatch.com) can send you a DVD for cheap. – Mark Hornberger Feb 13 '12 at 17:52

Does standalone LaTeX exist?

5 Answers5

Linked