Create a Portable OBS in 30 Seconds
30sOffers a quick fix for users frustrated with OBS updates breaking their setup.
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This video explains how to set up a portable version of OBS Studio to avoid problems caused by updates and plugin installations. The speaker demonstrates downloading OBS as a ZIP file, configuring it to run portably, and installing plugins by copying them directly into the portable folder. This method allows easy backup and restoration by simply copying the entire folder.
Chapters
[00:02]
Common Mistake: Downloading Installer
Most people download the OBS installer, but the speaker recommends downloading the ZIP version instead to create a portable setup.
[00:32]
Portable OBS Setup
After unzipping, add a .txt file (with visible file extensions) to the folder to finalize the portable configuration.
[00:49]
Starting Portable OBS
Navigate to the 64-bit folder and run OBS64.exe. A shortcut can be created on the desktop for convenience.
[01:15]
Installing Plugins Correctly
Always download plugin ZIP files, not installers. Unzip, copy all contents, and paste into the portable OBS folder.
[01:41]
Easy Backup and Restore
Copy the entire portable OBS folder as a backup. If something breaks, delete the broken folder, rename the copy back, and everything is restored.
Using a portable OBS setup provides a simple way to keep your streaming configuration safe from problematic updates and plugin conflicts. By copying the entire folder, you can quickly revert to a previous working state.
Mentioned in this Video
Tutorial Checklist
2
00:32
Unzip the file to a folder (e.g., 'OBS Twitch'). Ensure file extensions are visible, then add a .txt file to the folder to make it recognized as portable.
3
00:49
Navigate to the 64-bit folder and run 'OBS64.exe'. Optionally, create a shortcut on the desktop.
4
01:27
To install a plugin, download its ZIP file, unzip, select all files, copy (Ctrl+X), then paste (Ctrl+V) into the portable OBS folder.
5
01:57
To backup, copy the entire portable OBS folder to another location. To restore, delete the broken folder and rename the copy back.
Study Flashcards (5)
What file format should you download OBS in to create a portable setup?
easy
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What file format should you download OBS in to create a portable setup?
easy
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ZIP file
00:18
What must you add to the portable OBS folder to finalize the setup?
medium
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What must you add to the portable OBS folder to finalize the setup?
medium
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A .txt file
00:32
Which executable starts the portable OBS Studio?
easy
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Which executable starts the portable OBS Studio?
easy
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OBS64.exe
00:49
When downloading plugins, should you choose the ZIP or installer version?
easy
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When downloading plugins, should you choose the ZIP or installer version?
easy
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ZIP version
01:27
How do you restore a broken portable OBS setup?
medium
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How do you restore a broken portable OBS setup?
medium
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Delete the broken folder and rename a backup copy back to the original folder name.
01:57
💡 Key Takeaways
💡
Common Mistake
Highlights that most users make the mistake of downloading the installer instead of the ZIP file.
00:02
🔧
Simplified Backup
Explains that copying the entire folder provides a complete backup of settings and plugins.
01:41
🔧
Quick Recovery
Demonstrates a simple restore process by just renaming a backup folder.
01:57Full Transcript
[00:02] more updates, and plugins will certainly not be included in my setup. I've been reading this exact statement more often lately under my videos. But why do we make most people are already making the mistake of
[00:18] downloading the ZIP file. Because once I've according to my intended use. For example, OBS Twitch. Go into the folder, then I get
[00:32] a complete OBS Studio here, and here I only need to add one file, important to display the file extension at the end so that it really is a dot .txt file, and then simply press
[00:49] the 64-bit folder, I have an OBS64 exe file, and I can use that to start my portable OBS. But I'll show you why that makes so much sense in a moment. Of course, I can also create a shortcut , drag it to the desktop,
[01:02] simply start my portable OBS from there . Everything I do now in this OBS Studio, which by the way is a complete OBS Studio as if installed via the installer, will now be installed in this OBS Twitch folder. That means it
[01:15] Twitch folder. That means it I install. For example, for the super popular Vertical Plugin. When downloading plugins, always make sure to download the
[01:27] ZIP file, not the installer. You just need to unzip these plugin ZIP files, go to the unzipped folder, select everything there, press Ctrl+ X, then open your Portable OBS and press Ctrl+V. The plugin is installed, and the cool thing, and
[01:41] what I actually wanted to tell you, is that I'm now building my entire setup right here in this Portable OBS. I can
[01:57] simply by pressing Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, then I have a complete copy of my install plugins and updates in my Portable OBS, and if anything breaks, it's so easy, you just throw away your Portable OBS.
[02:12] simply delete. Take your copy, rename it back to your OBS Twitch, and you'll have everything back to the previous state. You can copy it to a USB stick or an external hard drive. So why not
[02:24] certainly not plugins? I don't understand it .
