QGIS Portable for Windows

QGIS Portable for Windows – Download Versions 3.44, 4.0 and 4.2

Would you like to use QGIS on Windows without having to install the software or have administrator privileges?

I provide several ready-to-use QGIS Portable distributions for Windows. They allow you to run QGIS directly from a folder, USB drive, external hard drive or network location.

Three versions are currently available:

  • QGIS 3.44 LTR: the long-term release branch of QGIS 3.x.
  • QGIS 4.0: the first major release of the QGIS 4 generation.
  • QGIS 4.2: a more recent version of QGIS 4.

Each distribution has its own Python environment, user profile and authentication system.

1. Download QGIS Portable

The distributions are available for direct download. Simply download the archive, extract it and launch QGIS.

QGIS 3.44 LTR Portable

Full version – Windows 10 and Windows 11

This distribution is intended for users who want to keep using a QGIS 3.x environment, particularly to ensure compatibility with their projects, plugins and established workflows.

[Download QGIS 3.44 LTR Portable – 1.2 GB] Main download – NASCA server (OVH)

[Download QGIS 3.44 LTR Portable – 1.2 GB] Alternative download – Google Drive mirror

If you experience problems downloading from the main server, particularly with certain browsers or network configurations, you can use the Google Drive mirror.

[Read the detailed introduction to QGIS 3.44 Portable]

QGIS 4.0 Portable

Full and Lite versions – Windows 10 and Windows 11

Two distributions are available:

  • Full version: a complete QGIS environment with the main GIS components.
  • Lite version: a lightweight distribution designed to reduce download size while retaining QGIS’s essential features.

[Download QGIS 4.0 Portable – Full version – 1.2 GB] Main download – NASCA server (OVH)

[Download QGIS 4.0 Portable – Full version – 1.2 GB] Alternative download – Google Drive mirror

[Download QGIS 4.0 Portable – Lite version – 363 MB] Main download – NASCA server (OVH)

[Download QGIS 4.0 Portable – Lite version – 363 MB] Alternative download – Google Drive mirror

If you experience problems downloading from the main server, particularly with certain browsers or network configurations, you can use the Google Drive mirror.

[Read the detailed introduction to QGIS 4.0 Portable]

QGIS 4.2 Portable

Full version – Windows 10 and Windows 11

This distribution provides a portable environment based on QGIS 4.2.

[Download QGIS 4.2 Portable – 526 MB] Main download – NASCA server (OVH)

[Download QGIS 4.2 Portable – 526 MB] Alternative download – Google Drive mirror

If you experience problems downloading from the main server, particularly with certain browsers or network configurations, you can use the Google Drive mirror.

2. What is QGIS Portable?

A portable application is software that runs without requiring prior installation on a computer.

Unlike a standard installation, all the components required by QGIS are grouped together in a single folder.

All you need to do is:

  1. Download the archive.
  2. Extract the .7z file.
  3. Open the distribution folder.
  4. Run the launch_qgis_portable.bat file.

QGIS starts without requiring any changes to your Windows installation.

The distributions can be used:

  • On a personal computer;
  • On a USB drive;
  • On an external hard drive;
  • In a working directory;
  • In some professional environments using network drives.

Important: The portable folder must be accessible for both reading and writing. Performance may be significantly reduced when QGIS is run directly from a USB drive or a slow network drive.

3. Portable Environment Structure

Each distribution contains the components required to run QGIS.

The general folder structure is as follows:

QGIS Portable
│
├── apps/
│   ├── qgis/
│   ├── Python312/
│   ├── Qt6/
│   ├── gdal/
│   └── ...
│
├── bin/
│   ├── qgis.bat
│   ├── python-qgis.bat
│   └── ...
│
├── QGIS_PROFILE/
│   └── profiles/
│
├── QGIS_AUTH/
│
├── launch_qgis_portable.bat
├── python_cmd.bat
├── osgeo4W_shell.bat
└── ...

The exact structure may vary slightly depending on the QGIS version and the components included in the distribution.

Portable user profile

The user profile is stored in the QGIS_PROFILE folder.

It contains, among other things:

  • QGIS settings;
  • User-installed plugins;
  • Display preferences;
  • Tool configurations;
  • Environment customisations.

Each distribution therefore has its own profile, independent of any other QGIS installations on the computer.

Authentication system

Authentication data is stored in the QGIS_AUTH folder.

This keeps the portable environment isolated and preserves the authentication settings associated with that distribution.

Important: Authentication information may be sensitive. The folder should be protected, and archives containing personal credentials should never be distributed.

4. Available Launchers

The distributions use the official QGIS startup scripts to initialise the environment correctly before launching the software.

This approach helps prevent problems related to the initialisation of Python, Qt, GDAL and the other required libraries.

Launch QGIS

The file:

launch_qgis_portable.bat

starts QGIS.

The launcher prepares the portable environment and then calls the official qgis.bat script supplied with QGIS.

This script initialises the required environment variables and launches the application.

This is the recommended way to start QGIS.

Open a Python console

The file:

python_cmd.bat

opens a Python console independently of the QGIS graphical interface.

This console uses the Python environment supplied with the distribution.

It can be used to:

  • Run Python scripts;
  • Use GDAL and other available libraries;
  • Develop geospatial processing workflows;
  • Prepare scripts using PyQGIS features, provided the corresponding environment has been initialised.

Open an OSGeo Shell

The file:

osgeo4W_shell.bat

opens a command window configured for the QGIS environment.

It allows you to use the command-line tools supplied with the distribution, including GDAL tools.

It is also useful for running Python scripts from the command prompt.

Paths and environment variables are initialised using the portable distribution.

5. Using Python and Developing with QGIS Portable

The portable environment includes a Python installation adapted to the distributed QGIS version.

You can therefore develop and run scripts without separately installing Python or QGIS on the computer.

For example, to run a script from the shell, you can use:

python my_script.py

For scripts using PyQGIS, the QGIS environment must be properly initialised. Simply opening Python does not always make the PyQGIS modules available.

The supplied launchers allow you to prepare this environment.

This is particularly useful in professional environments where software installations are restricted.

6. Installing QGIS Plugins

Plugins can be installed through the QGIS Plugin Manager, just as with a standard installation.

They are stored in the portable user profile.

The main plugins included with QGIS, particularly Processing and DB Manager, are automatically enabled in the relevant distributions.

The Lite version does not include all the advanced components available in the Full version.

7. Which Version Should You Choose?

VersionFeaturesRecommended use
QGIS 3.44 LTRQGIS 3 generationCompatibility and continuity with existing projects
QGIS 4.0 FullQGIS 4 generation, full distributionGeneral and advanced use
QGIS 4.0 LiteQGIS 4 generation, lightweight distributionTraining and everyday use
QGIS 4.2QGIS 4 generation, more recent versionProjects using the latest QGIS 4 developments

Your choice will mainly depend on your needs, compatibility with your projects and the plugins you use.

8. Limitations of a Portable Version

A portable distribution offers many advantages, but a few limitations should be taken into account:

  • Some Windows integrations (file associations, context menus, etc.) are not available.
  • QGIS updates must be performed manually by replacing the distribution.
  • Performance can vary significantly depending on the storage device used.
  • Additional plugins and libraries must be installed and configured in the portable environment.
  • A Lite distribution does not include all the advanced modules available in the Full version.

For intensive everyday use, a standard QGIS installation is generally still recommended.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Does QGIS Portable work without installation?

Yes. The software is entirely contained within the portable folder. No standard installation is required.

Do I need administrator privileges?

No, provided that your organisation’s security policies allow applications to run from the chosen folder and that you have the necessary read and write permissions.

Can I use QGIS Portable on a USB drive?

Yes. Simply extract the distribution onto the USB drive and run the BAT file. Performance will depend on the speed of the USB drive.

Can I use QGIS Portable from a network drive?

Yes, provided that the network share allows programs to be executed and user profiles to be written. Performance will depend on the quality of the network connection and storage system.

Can I use several versions of QGIS Portable on the same computer?

Yes. Each distribution has its own environment and user profile.

Can I use QGIS plugins?

Yes. Plugins compatible with the version of QGIS you are using can be installed through the Plugin Manager.

Can I run Python scripts?

Yes. Each distribution contains a Python environment adapted to its QGIS version. Launchers are provided to open a Python console and a preconfigured OSGeo Shell.

Are updates automatic?

No. Portable distributions are updated manually. You need to download the new archive and replace or update the portable folder, taking care to preserve your user profile if necessary.

Conclusion

The QGIS Portable distributions offered here provide a self-contained GIS environment without requiring a standard installation or administrator privileges, provided that the system’s security policies allow it.

They are particularly suitable for training courses, students, public administrations and professionals who want to use several QGIS versions or have a portable GIS environment.

The 3.44 LTR and 4.x versions meet different needs, while the Full and Lite variants allow you to choose an environment suited to the download size and the features you require.

All downloads are grouped on this page to make it easy to access the different QGIS Portable distributions for Windows.