simplest cross-browser check if protocol handler is registered

Question

When user clicks link with custom protocol (like myapp://superlink)

I need either launch an app or allow user to download and run configuration app

Answer 1

I had a similar problem where I needed to check whether a custom protocol is already registered (which will open an executable file), or otherwise open a download page or do something else. Unfortunately there is no easy way to deal with this since every browser behaves differently. I tried to collect all information and come up with a rather generic library for this matter, you can take a look at:

https://github.com/ismailhabib/custom-protocol-detection

ps: the solution for non Windows 8 IE is rather ugly, but I couldn't find a better solution.