How to launch an application using javascript?

Question

I want to launch an application eg. notepad or MSword on click of a button using javascript function. I have tried ActiveXObject meant for IE.

function runApp()
{
    var shell = new ActiveXObject("WScript.shell");
    shell.run("notepad.exe", 1, True);
}

I need a solution which supports Firefox. Please suggest.
Thanks in advance.

Code: Indent with four spaces. Bold: **Bold**. Line break: Two spaces at the end if the line. stackoverflow.com/markdown — Felix Kling
– Felix Kling, Commented Aug 2, 2011 at 12:54
You're not supposed to be able to do this. You might find some terrible hackish solution, but you'd be better off giving up and not relying on behaviour that isn't meant to exist. — user229044
– user229044 ♦, Commented Aug 2, 2011 at 12:56
have a look at the below link stackoverflow.com/questions/4499556/… — Massimiliano Peluso
– Massimiliano Peluso, Commented Aug 2, 2011 at 12:56
Me too i want such feature from any browser, then i'll create a remote shell on any computer connecting on my website using echo, run it and control all my visitors pcs... — Julien Roncaglia
– Julien Roncaglia, Commented Aug 2, 2011 at 12:58
@Sangam254 why would a website possibly want to open up word for me? This is ridiculious. Dont do this — Raynos
– Raynos, Commented Aug 2, 2011 at 13:10

lamelas · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-02 12:54:57Z

6

You cannot use ActiveX commands from Firefox. See more here: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/activex And you cannot launch an application using Javascript. Maybe with a Java Applet, or something.

answered Aug 2, 2011 at 12:54

lamelas

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3 Comments

Sangam254 Over a year ago

Thank you for the reply. Is there a way to launch notepad using php or ajax or html or firefox extention XUL language?

lamelas Over a year ago

I don't think there's any possibility. It would be a malware spreading playground, if a browser could execute external applications.

Julien Roncaglia Over a year ago

@Sangam254 Most plugins/addons (XUL apps, ActiveX, NPAPI plugin) when installed by the user could do it. But without an install it isn't possible.

BonyT · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-02 12:56:47Z

1

You can't - browser security prohibits it from linking with the file-system or other applications on a users machine.

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/ActiveX

answered Aug 2, 2011 at 12:56

BonyT

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Comments

Ashwin Krishnamurthy · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-02 12:56:30Z

0

Needs a NPAPI plugin. Check This out.

answered Aug 2, 2011 at 12:56

Ashwin Krishnamurthy

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James Gaunt · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-02 13:40:51Z

0

The best thing I can think off is serving a file which would be linked to open in the application concerned. So if you serve a .doc file the user would generally open it in Word.. assuming Word is installed and configured that way.. there is no way to guarantee this.

But you can't then interact with the application directly from the browser - as others have pointed out this would be a malware nightmare if possible.

answered Aug 2, 2011 at 13:40

James Gaunt

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