java 1 min read by 35 comments

Open Browser in Java windows or Linux

A very useful Java code, to open a web browser from Java application in windows or Linux. 


package com.mkyong;

public class StartBrowser {

  public static void main(String args[])
  {
	String url = "http://www.google.com";
	String os = System.getProperty("os.name").toLowerCase();
        Runtime rt = Runtime.getRuntime();
	
	try{

	    if (os.indexOf( "win" ) >= 0) {

	        // this doesn't support showing urls in the form of "page.html#nameLink" 
	        rt.exec( "rundll32 url.dll,FileProtocolHandler " + url);

	    } else if (os.indexOf( "mac" ) >= 0) {

	        rt.exec( "open " + url);

            } else if (os.indexOf( "nix") >=0 || os.indexOf( "nux") >=0) {

	        // Do a best guess on unix until we get a platform independent way
	        // Build a list of browsers to try, in this order.
	        String[] browsers = {"epiphany", "firefox", "mozilla", "konqueror",
	       			             "netscape","opera","links","lynx"};
	        	
	        // Build a command string which looks like "browser1 "url" || browser2 "url" ||..."
	        StringBuffer cmd = new StringBuffer();
	        for (int i=0; i<browsers.length; i++)
	            cmd.append( (i==0  ? "" : " || " ) + browsers[i] +" \"" + url + "\" ");
	        	
	        rt.exec(new String[] { "sh", "-c", cmd.toString() });

           } else {
                return;
           }
       }catch (Exception e){
	    return;
       }
      return;		
  
}

35 comments on “Open Browser in Java windows or Linux”

  2. I am facing an issue. If anybody facing the same please suggest the solution.

    I am using the below code to open the URL in default browser :

    Runtime runtime = Runtime.getRuntime();
    runtime.exec(“rundll32 url.dll,FileProtocolHandler ” + primaryLink);

    //Here primaryLink variable is holding the URL which i want to open into the browser.

    This code is working fine on some machine and successfully open the URL in default browser.
    But in some machine i have received the below exception while URL is invoking

    Exception : java.io.IOException: Cannot run program “”/Program”: CreateProcess error=2, The system cannot find the file specified

    Please help me here what action should i taken on these machine. So that problem is resolve. Please suggest.

    Reply

  3. How to restrict launch of browser if default browser is edge.

    Reply

  4. How to restrict launch of browser of default browser is edge.

    Reply

  6. Hello
    Thanks for your help

    One query
    Can we close same url only from browser tab after all works done of that webpage?¿?

    Please can you help me?¿?

    Reply

  7. This was quite helpful. For various reasons I wanted to accomplish this task in JRE 1.4 and your method worked quite well. Thank you for posting this.

    Reply

  8. Thanks
    This worked for me
    Runtime rt = Runtime.getRuntime();
    rt.exec( “rundll32 url.dll,FileProtocolHandler ” + “http://localhost:8080”);

    Reply

  9. How can we open a file (like a pdf) in a web-browser using Java?

    Reply

  10. on Window OS, How to launch url from multiple browser (ie, chrome, firefox).?

    Reply

  11. Works very well!! The other solution : Desktop.browse doesnt seem to work for me.

    Reply

  13. How to open url having sections e.g.,

    “page.html#nameLink”

    Reply

  14. Thanks Nice article. But can I open a URL which needs client certificate authentication in a new browser window. My certificate is in p12 format stored on client side

    Reply

  16. Thank you my friend! That code was right and helpfull 🙂 Added you on facebook! Have a good night !

    Reply

  17. hi.. is it possible to hide the menubar/toolbar in the opening window? would be of much help.

    Reply

  18. Of course the Desktop.getDesktop approach is much more brief, however Runtime.getRuntime().exec() has another issue – you have to consume the resulting input and error streams, otherwise you will find that resources are left open and you will eventually get errors that will appear almost unrelated, such as “too many open files”, etc.

    See this link (old but still relevant) to see how….
    http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-12-2000/jw-1229-traps.html?page=4

    Reply

  19. I got it open but if i want to insert one button or a link there also then what should I do for this ??
    Thanks in advance..!!!

    Reply

  20. I have a videogame (its a socail game for a lot of people to play at one time together) and when i try to run this method, as if it were a link, it only opens the link/website on my computer. Why is this?

    Reply

  22. I got i opened 🙂
    But does anybody know how put a text into the browser?
    Example in Google, how to search on something directly?

    //Daniel

    Reply

    1. Hi Daniel,

      Do one thing.. if you know what to search, go to google, enter the word, hit search. Now copy the url its showing currently, and put in the code like 

       

//String url = "http://www.google.com"; //comment this line
// I have searched for word pic, u can choose your word.
String url="http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en-IN&source=hp&q=pic&gbv=2&oq=pic&gs_l=heirloom-hp.3..0l10.2906.3547.0.5250.3.3.0.0.0.0.234.656.2-3.3.0...0.0...1c.1.8R_O73gqzd0";

      Well, but if you have a dynamic word, more expert comments is required… 🙂

      Reply

  24. Superb site, where did you come up with the knowledge in this piece of writing? I’m pleased I found it though, ill be checking back soon to see what other articles you have.

    Reply

  25. Can it open in a new IE session rather than opening in existing opened session.

    Reply

  27. Can be done MUCH easier: Desktop.getDesktop().browse(…) on ANY platform.

    Reply

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