I have an unusual demand: my employer blocks any SW-installations by the user. Therefore I am restricted to SW that installs by simply downloading the files.
I would like to use KiCad to draw simple schematics and to use the gerber-viewer.
(especially as our suppliers can use KiCad too)
So I would be happy if the KiCad download page would offer a “ready to use” EXE version.
(I know, this means work that someone has to do voluntarily and unfortunately I can not do this - I do not even own a privat ms-win)
I haven’t tried for a while, but IIRC KiCad runs pretty well from a USB stick. If you are adventurous you can try to install it to a stick at home and then copy it to another machine. Or just copy your existing installation.
KiCad doesn’t change anything in the OS system folders if it’s installed in a custom location. Unless you install the environment variables when using the installer (which you should never do anyways) it doesn’t even touch the registry. It creates the configuration in your personal %appdata% folder.
USB-Sticks are also forbidden and anyway I do not have a win installation to copy.
Thats why I would like to have something on the KiCad download page - I know this seems strange for people who are enjoying normal IT services !
This discussion would be much easier if you would descibe all your limitations at once
For example, do you have an internet connection and computer at home where you could install KiCad, and could you copy it to a file service from where you could download it at work.
BTW, KiCad 5.1.4 isn’t so terribly old, so the kicad-portable project would be OK. The latest 5.1.6 has more bugfixes, but it’s possible that if you use 5.1.4 you don’t bump into anything critical.
Basically I don’t like that the kicad-portable distributes the binaries without the source code. That’s against the licence and illegal. But I understand the good will.
If you have no Windows at hand, try using a Virtual Machine, install KiCAD, compress the install directory and download it at work. And if you really need the software for productive use, why not ask your IT people to install it for you?
I understand your dislike of binary distribution - its not the way KiCad is meant to be. And you are right: I will possibly be satisfied with a not-so-new Version (I have been using 5.1.4 at home of course)
Situation at work is: I have a win10 laptop with internet access (though some pages like Gitlab are blocked). I can download things and they are automatically checked for malware. I can even start EXE as long as they do not try to really install things.
I can use SW that uses an installation-EXE just to copy files to a location.
I have similar restrictions - for me, the simplest solution was to bring my own device to work and plug in screen and keyboard. Although you will probably find the next problem is you can’t print anything directly.
I tried again. KiCad is recognized as dangerous stuff that wants to change the system in catastrophic ways
Only admins can continue the installation.
I think the problem is not what KiCad actually does to the system. The problem is that it comes with an installer that is recognised as such.
and anyway I do not have a win installation to copy.
