LibreWolf Portable for Windows

Run LibreWolf without installation — ideal for USB, temporary sessions and locked machines. No admin rights required.

Quick answer

The portable build of LibreWolf is a self-contained archive you can extract to any folder or USB drive and run the browser directly — no installer, no registry changes, no admin rights. It's perfect for temporary use, testing, or carrying your browser on a removable drive.

What is the portable build and why use it?

The portable build includes all necessary application files in a single folder. It separates profile data from system locations by keeping user data in the portable folder (or in a user-specified profile folder). Benefits: mobility, minimal system footprint, and easier cleanup. Limitations: auto-update may be manual, and some system integrations (default browser, file associations) require manual steps.

When to prefer portable over installer

Use portable when you need to avoid making system changes, when you lack admin rights, or when testing multiple versions without interference. For daily use with automatic updates and system integration, the installer is recommended. Read a concise comparison on Portable vs Install.

How to download and run the portable build

  1. Download the portable archive from the Download page or use the Download button above.
  2. Extract the archive to a folder (local drive or USB). Recommended: use an extracted path with no special characters.
  3. Open the extracted folder and run librewolf.exe (or the matching executable).
  4. First run: create a shortcut if you’ll use it frequently — optional.

Where portable stores its profile

Portable builds typically store profile data inside the portable folder (e.g. ./profile). If your build uses an external profile location, the README on the Download page explains how to set a custom profile path. To migrate an existing profile, copy the profile folder contents into the portable profile directory.

Updating the portable build

Portable builds require manual updates. Steps to update safely:

  1. Back up your portable profile folder (copy to a safe location).
  2. Download the new portable archive from Download.
  3. Extract the new build to a temporary folder and copy your profile folder into the new folder, or overwrite the application files while preserving the profile folder.
  4. Run the new librewolf.exe and confirm settings/data.

Verify the download (checksums)

Always verify SHA256 before running. The Download page lists checksums and instructions. Example (PowerShell):

Get-FileHash -Path C:\path\to\librewolf-portable.zip -Algorithm SHA256

Replace C:\path\to\... with your actual file path. Compare the output to the official SHA256 published on the Download page.

Troubleshooting common portable issues

Issue: Windows Defender/SmartScreen warns about unknown publisher — ensure you downloaded from the official mirror and verify SHA256. Issue: Portable not saving settings — check that the profile folder is writable. Issue: Extensions or DRM not working — see DRM & Streaming and the Troubleshooting guide.

Security and privacy notes

LibreWolf portable ships with telemetry disabled by default. Portable use reduces some attack surface because no system-wide installation occurs, but treat any downloaded binary with caution: verify checksums and use official mirrors. For enterprise deployments, see Security and Telemetry pages.

Call to action

If you want the easiest, most reliable experience on Windows, choose the installer. If you need portability, click the button above to start the portable download (captcha will run). For automated deployments use winget.