Instructions in Link that Tell Windows to Open a Particular Browser?


  1. Posts : 31
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
       #1

    Instructions in Link Telling Windows to Open Using Particular Browser?


    There is a way to place instructions in a link or shortcut to open using a specific browser such as Internet Explorer instead of Firefox or Chrome. It is just symbols around a directory location such as "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" so the line would look something like the following:

    "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe"//www-secure.symantec.com/norton/support/contact/chat/norton-chat.jsp (but that is not correct)

    Does anyone know how to specify the browser for a particular link?
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  2. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #2

    This: "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" "http://url/"
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  3. Posts : 67
    Windows XP Pro x86, Windows Vista Home Premium x86, Windows 7 Pro x64, Win2k3, Win2k8, Ubuntu
       #3

    A link on a web page? A link as in shortcut? Or maybe a link sent via email? Or perhaps all of the above?

    A shortcut on your computer would be; Right-click > New > Shortcut - Then type ["c:/Program Files (x86)/Internet Explorer/iexplore.exe" https://www.sevenforums.com/] without the brackets as the location of the item. Note: If you're on a 32-bit system or you want to use the 64-bit IE then replace "Program Files (x86)" with "Program Files"

    I haven't thoroughly tested this but it should work. Please let me know.
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  4. Posts : 71,978
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    Hello Cyberbiker,

    You could use Option Two in the tutorial below as an example for how to do this.

    Internet Website Shortcut - Create

    For 64-bit Windows 7:
    "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" website address

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
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  5. Posts : 31
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    That did it. Brink continues to publish excellent detailed examples. Thanks all.

    When I created a new shortcut on the desktop, entered the line below as per Internet Website Shortcut - Create Option Two and clicked next:

    "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" http://www.stratfor.com/node/146698/archive

    it worked great and opened the webpage in Internet Explorer x64, even though my default browser is Firefox. However, note it automatically changed the backslash before iexplorer.exe to a forward slash in the address line as follows:

    "%ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer/iexplore.exe" http://www.stratfor.com/node/146698/archive

    Also note Program Files in the link above cannot have a space between Program and Files even though the space exists on the computer folder name. Don't know why.

    Designating a specific browser is handy because some webpages don't work as well with Firefox as with Internet Explorer. Also some webpages need an x86 instead of an x64 browser.

    Happy linking and thanks again.
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  6. Posts : 71,978
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    You're most welcome Cyberbiker. I'm glad that we could help. :)
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  7. Posts : 67
    Windows XP Pro x86, Windows Vista Home Premium x86, Windows 7 Pro x64, Win2k3, Win2k8, Ubuntu
       #7

    Side note: The %ProgramFiles% is a variable that resolves to your Program Files folder, it is not the same as manually typing the path it. That is why you cannot have a space.
      My Computer


 

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