How can I create self-contained executables in Windows and GNU/Linux?

[jviotti]

Is there a way to create a self contained executable that includes all the files from the output directory in Windows and GNU/Linux?

[malept]

This is not currently a feature of electron-packager. (Even for Mac apps, they're not technically "self contained executables", it's a special folder.)

That being said, if someone creates a Node module that transforms an Electron-based app into a self-contained executable, we would be open to a pull request that adds integration via an optional parameter.

[malept]

Here's the answer the Electron people gave a while ago: electron/electron#914

[jviotti]

@malept Thank you very much to the link!

[danielehrhardt]

Something new here? Is it possible to pack app in to a single .exe file

[malept]

No.

[develar]

@danielehrhardt You can use portable target in the electron-builder.

[abicorios]

Also, it is possible by electron-forge make
See https://github.com/electron-userland/electron-forge
By default in Windows the single exe is created by squirrel. After running it is extracted in C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\your_new_app, and rewrite it in each run. But user see alone executable, and almost all software work in a similar way.

[JulsSmile]

Also looking for the answer to this question.
Alternatively, you can pack an Electron application into an executable using a packer. For example this guide: How to pack an Electron Application into a single executable file

[gregnr]

For those using electron-forge, we've built a Maker plugin that builds a portable Windows .exe file using electron-builder's portable target under the hood:

https://github.com/rabbit-hole-syndrome/electron-forge-maker-portable

[edxu96]

For those using electron-forge, we've built a Maker plugin that builds a portable Windows .exe file using electron-builder's portable target under the hood:

https://github.com/rabbit-hole-syndrome/electron-forge-maker-portable

That's interesting. A quick question, is a portable app able to update itself?

Based on https://www.electronjs.org/docs/latest/api/auto-updater#windows, the app can only update itself, when it's installed: