The invention provides a portable customizable desktop environment, enabling a User to replicate and use the User's preferred desktop configuration on any computing device by means of an enabled portable memory device such as USB drive. Further, the portable desktop can be encapsulated, such that little if any trace of the use of the portable desktop are glean-able from the host computer. Also provided is a method of learning to duplicate a program's environment requirements within the portable desktop environment. The invention further provides a means for providing universal synchronization of a portable customized desktop, thereby preserving data and providing alternate access by User.