Can I use dotScribe if I have no permissions and can't install on my work computer?

Can I use dotScribe if I have no permissions and can't install on my work computer?

In most cases, the answer is yes but you'll need to download the latest portable/USB version of dotScribe.


If you haven't created an account and your computer blocks access to our website (and your ability to sign up), you can easily sign up on your phone. Once your online account is established, you'll then be able to use your email and password to Sign In to dotScribe on your desktop.

Here are 3 ways you can safely run dotScribe without the need for install:

1. Run from a USB drive. Download and unzip the portable/USB version of dotScribe. Copy the dotScribe folder onto a USB drive. If you have dotScribe installed on a home computer, you don't need to download the portable version. You can simply copy the installed dotScribe folder onto a USB as seen here.


Plug the USB into a Windows computer and double click the dotScribe.exe file within the dotScribe folder. Enter your account credentials when the Sign In screen appears and dotScribe will be ready to use. Start typing and suggestions will appear.


When leaving a computer, we recommend you exit dotScribe and eject the USB drive prior to removing the USB to avoid errors and data corruption. 


2. Run from a desktop folder (without install). Some firewalls will block anything attempting to run from a USB. If this happens, we recommend you copy the dotScribe folder from the USB onto your computer (e.g. copy to your "Downloads" or "Documents" folder). Once copied to the desired computer, double click the dotScribe.exe file within the dotScribe folder. Enter your account credentials when the Sign In screen appears. Start typing once Sign In is complete and suggestions will appear. 


3. Run from an encrypted USB drive. Some firewalls will allow you to run apps from a USB as long as the drive is encrypted. One way to test this is to copy a file from your work computer to your USB. If the computer blocks "Write" permission to the USB but allows you to copy files from the USB to your computer, then it's likely that USB encryption is required (there will often be an IT message confirming this). 


Windows BitLocker encryption is accepted by many institutions and instructions on how to encrypt your USB drive can be found here. Once your USB drive is encrypted, dotScribe should run the same as covered in option 1 above.


We hope this article answered your question and helped you learn more about using dotScribe. Visit our help center for more helpful knowledge base articles and start saving time with dotScribe today.


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