how to start up a desktop application in client side

Question

In my web page, I have to start a desktop application on the client\'s computer if it\'s installed. Any idea how I can do this?

If the application is MS Office or Ad

Answer 1

JavaScript alone can't do this. (No, not even with MS Office or Adobe Reader.) Thankfully.

There are a number of old ways, including using ActiveX, which may work for your needs. As others have pointed out while typing this, you can customize responses based on the mime type or the protocol, etc.

Any way you look at it, you're going to need control over the end users' browser. If you're in a close environment where you can dictate policy (users must use a specific browser, with a specific configuration), then you're going to need to do that. For an open environment with no control over the end users, you're out of luck.