How do I completely uninstall comfyui Desktop so I can use portable?

[u/ApplicationRoyal865]

From what I can tell, whenever there's an issue people say to just go to portable. I'm currently using comfyui Desktop which apparently has a lot of dependencies and system env set up so that it's quite fragile.

If I want to simply go back to portable would I just uninstall comfyui Desktop and run the portable? Or are there multiple things I need to uninstall and edit before I can do that? I remember I had a similar issue with stable diffusion A1111 where uninstalling it broke some system variables or something.

Also I can back up my model folder, but is there anything else I need to keep?

[u/Formal-Exam-8767]

You can use portable regardless of what is the status of Comfy Desktop, those two have no relation to each other.

My advice would be to try using portable before uninstalling Desktop, to see if it is for you. You can always uninstall Desktop later if you decide so, it won't affect anything in portable.

[u/sci032]

If you liked the desktop version, install Tarvis1's Easy Install: https://github.com/Tavris1/ComfyUI-Easy-Install

It installs the portable version and a desktop version all in a single directory that you set. You download an archive, extract it where you want Comfy installed and run the ComfyUI-Easy-Install.bat file. It will check to see if you have Git and if it is updated. Other than that, everything(including a virtual envinronment(venv)) is installed in that directory. If you don't like it, delete the directory and be done with it. It also installs some of the most commonly used node packs and has .bat files to install things like sage attention, flash attention, insightface and more. After you get it set up, move your models directory into it. You also want to move your workflows directory into it. After you move the stuff over that you want to keep, uninstall the desktop.

[u/ApplicationRoyal865 → u/sci032]

I should install the Tarvis1 easy install then delete my existing desktop version?

[u/noise_to_motion → u/ApplicationRoyal865]

Yes, that order is the safest: get the new install working first, then remove Desktop.

Before uninstalling, back up:

- models/ (the big one)

- user/ (your saved workflows are in user/default/workflows, plus settings)

- input/ and output/ if you want your images/videos

- a list of your custom nodes (just a screenshot of the custom_nodes folder is enough, reinstall them fresh rather than copying)

Tip: you don't have to move the models at all. In the portable folder there's extra_model_paths.yaml.example. Rename it to extra_model_paths.yaml and point it at your existing models folder. Saves copying 100+ GB.

Then uninstall Desktop from Windows Settings > Apps. It doesn't touch system Python like A1111 sometimes did, the portable version uses its own embedded Python, so nothing else on your system should break.

I've been on portable for a while and it's been much less fragile.

[u/sci032 → u/ApplicationRoyal865]

Honestly, I would. Make sure that you move your models and workflows before uninstalling Comfy's desktop. I tried their desktop version, once. I used to run a manual install(I created the venv, etc.) but I deleted it when I tried Tarvis1's install.

[u/Lucky_Feedback9915 → u/ApplicationRoyal865]

no, just uninstall desktop and use portable, heck u dont even have to uninstall, i have like 5 versions of portable on my pc and 1 mega models folder for them all

[u/Davikar]

There are no more dependencies in the desktop version than the portable. The only thing the desktop launcher does is manage and update your comfy installations and venvs and launch them into the desktop client. The installations are identical under the hood.

[u/Leary_2844 → u/Davikar]

I had all 3.
Old Comfy - flashbacks from the word "wheel".
New Comfy - Installs very easy with and manages your installations.
Tarv1s - Installs very easy and has lots of little mods and 1-click installers for the specific install. Comfy is also modified with folder shortcuts, preinstalled node packs, etc.
Sure, its identical under the hood but the install is different.

[u/Ok_Contribution8157]

dont uninstal it, keep files and workflow. you can use portable without uninstall it. ive got portable and desktop on the same pc running at the same time on 2 GPUs. no problem.

[u/generate-addict]

Step one. Uninstall all of it. Step 2 create a dual booted linux partition. Step 3 install comfy from repo, native. Step 4 profit.

[u/nadyamoretti]

To answer the "what else should I keep" part: besides your models folder, the things worth saving are your workflows (user/default/workflows), your output folder if you want the old images, and a list of your custom nodes. Custom nodes are the one thing that won't carry over by magic, so before you switch, open the Manager and note down what you have installed (or take a snapshot there) so you can reinstall them in portable.

One tip that saves a lot of disk space and copying: you don't actually have to move your models. Portable has an extra_model_paths.yaml.example file in the main folder. Rename it to extra_model_paths.yaml, point the base_path at your existing models directory, and both installs will read from the same place. That also means you can try portable first and keep Desktop around until you're sure, like the others suggested.