How do I make a hyperlink to a local executable?

Question

We have an Intranet website, and a WPF windows executable installed on every workstation.

1. How can we create a hyperlink on the intranet website that will launc

Answer 1

I have links to UNC folders/files inside my intranet portal and I've found that the clients need to have the local domain name "mycompany.local" added in their "Trusted Sites". I have also found this only works in IE (verified not working in FireFox and Safari).

Answer 2

Use the file:/// prefix.

Like so:

<a href="file:///C:/Windows/notepad.exe">asd</a>

I'm not sure if you'll be able to get past the security dialog though (open, save, cancel).

Answer 3

If you know the path for the file and it's the same on every machine, you can link to the local path:

<a href="C:\Windows\prog.exe">Click Here</a>

We did this at a previous company on our intranet. Worked, no problem.

Answer 4

If your users really use only IE you can use this snippet:

<script type="text/javascript">
    function runNotepad() {
        var Shell = new ActiveXObject("WScript.Shell");
        Shell.Run("%WINDIR%\\notepad.exe");
    }
</script>
<a href="#" onclick="runNotepad(); return false;">Run Notepad</a>

However, with any sensible security settings this leads to an awful lot of warnings (and rightfully so!).