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; }

hi.. is it possible to hide the menubar/toolbar in the opening window? would be of much help.
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
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..!!!
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?
Thanks a ton , helped me a lot :)
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
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
Well, but if you have a dynamic word, more expert comments is required… :)
is this all i want hehe thanks again
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.
Can it open in a new IE session rather than opening in existing opened session.
Thank you
Can be done MUCH easier: Desktop.getDesktop().browse(…) on ANY platform.
Thanks for this…
see http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/awt/Desktop.html
Hi guys, thanks Ryzhikov and Richard sharing this information.
That’s great!!!
Thanks a lot!! :)
Thanks
thanx, but why does it open in ie?? i want it to open in firefox..
It’s purposely because IE is your default internet browser