USB software refers to software that can be readily accessible from a USB flash drive or can be run from the USB flash drive without installing the software on the host computer. USB software can include a wide variety of programs that perform many different tasks. For example, WinAudit is capable of analyzing a host computer and providing stastistics. Disk Digger, on the other hand, is capable of restoring deleted files and recovering lost information. This article will go over both of these programs and many more in order to demonstrate how useful USB software can be.

PortableApps.com Suite
PortableApps.com Suite is a collection of portable programs for USB flash drives that can be launched directly from the flash drive without being installed on the host computer. PortableApps.com Suite includes a calender, web browser, email client, scheduler, instant messenger, antivirus program, media player, password manager, PDF reader, backup utility, office software, and several arcade games. The software only needs to be placed on the USB flash drive in order to run, is completely free, and can be downloaded from http://portableapps.com/suite .

RoboForm2Go
RoboForm2Go is a form completion software made for USB flash drives that can save all of the user’s personal information so that it can be used on any host computer without leaving the information behind. RoboForm2Go can be launched directly from the USB flash drive and does not need to be installed on the host computer. The software uses military-grade AES encryption methods so that all of the user’s personal information is protected from prying eyes. RoboForm2Go can store passwords, contacts, bookmarks, names, addresses, and much more. The software is completely free and can be downloaded from http://www.roboform.com/platforms/usb .

WinAudit
WinAudit is an auditing and inventory software designed for the Windows Operating System that can be accessed and launched directly from the user’s USB flash drive without being installed on the host computer. WinAudit is capable of providing information about the computer in question such as network specifications, hardware, software, security configurations, licenses, and much more. WinAudit is basically a portable version of the Device Manager found in all Windows Operating Systems. WinAudit is completely free and can be downloaded from http://www.pxserver.com/WinAudit.htm .

DiskDigger
DiskDigger is a portable program that is capable of restoring lost or deleted files from any host computer, USB flash drive, memory card, digital camera, or similar device. DiskDigger can find and restore documents, pictures, and other files in a matter of minutes. While the software can be used for free, it displays a message asking the user to purchase a license key for every file that is recovered. To avoid these messages, the user can purchase a license key for $15.00. DiskDigger comes in a Zip file but once the file is extracted, DiskDigger can be placed on any USB flash drive and used without installing it on the host computer. DiskDigger can be downloaded from http://diskdigger.org/ .

Eraser
While DiskDigger can be used to recover lost data, Eraser is a portable software designed to permanently delete files and make them unrecoverable by any program. The software works by deleting files and then overwriting them multiple times with different patterns. The user is able to choose from six different file destruction techniques and also has the ability to delete remnant files that are left behind on the user’s free space. Eraser also includes a scheduler and can be launched from the user’s USB flash drive without being installed on the host computer. Eraser is free and can be downloaded from http://www.pendriveapps.com/eraser-securely-delete-files/#more-4703 .