Automatically launch Internet Explorer and Navigate to a Web Page

The Scripting Pod

Home | FAQ | * FORUM * | Contact |

The Scripts

+ Remote Connection Facilitator
+ Automate Windows XP
+ Offer Remote Assistance

+ Virtual Machine Controller

+ Start Offer Remote Assistance

+ Change IE Start Page

+ IE Web Page Launcher

Windows Sidebar Gadgets

+ RCF+ Sidebar Gadget
+ Remote Connection Facilitator
+ Automate Windows Vista
+ Offer Remote Assistance

Internet Explorer Web Page Launcher

The Internet Explorer web page launcher is a utility that allows you to automatically start Internet Explorer (IE) and navigate to a specific web page all from the command line. Why would you want to do this? Maybe you would like to have your favorite web site launch automatically every time you logon your computer. Similarly, maybe your organization wants to launch their Intranet site each time the employee logs onto their computer. This can be easily accomplished by using this utility in a logon script with Active Directory group policies. If your organization does not use Active Directory, you can still use this utility as a normal startup script. Yes, there are other ways to accomplish this task however, this utility gives you more control by allowing you to specify several arguments including: the website URL, exceptions, and a delay.

Some people have asked... "Why not just place a URL shortcut in the startup folder on your computer?" Or, "Why wouldn't you use the command: START C:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe http://www.google.com?" Well the answer is simple - this utility offers more control.

If you place a URL shortcut to your company Intranet site (a non-public address) in the startup folder of an employee laptop, what happens when the employee leaves the office and uses the laptop at home or in a hotel? You guessed it, Internet Explorer will launch to a "404 page not found" error. A minor inconvenience but still annoying. If this utility is used as a logon script in a GPO (See example screen shots below) then it will only run when the laptop machine is in the office and connected to the network.

If you opt to use the START command line this will work but does not give you the control to specify exceptions or delay the launch. If you decide to use an Active Directory GPO to "Run these programs at user logon" the same thing applies - it will work, but it doesn't give you the control this utility does.

As with most things in the technical world there are a number of ways to accomplish the same task - choose the one that best fits your needs. If you decide to use this utility, here are some ways in which to do so...

USAGE EXAMPLES:

IEwebpageLauncher.vbe http://www.yourstartpage.com
IEwebpageLauncher.vbe http://www.scriptingpod.com 10
IEwebpageLauncher.vbe http://www.yahoo.com -server
IEwebpageLauncher.vbe http://www.yahoo.com -server 5
IEwebpageLauncher.vbe http://www.google.com -WKSTN0125

EXAMPLE EXPLANATIONS:

Launches IE, navigates to www.yourstartpage.com
Launches IE, navigates to www.scriptingpod.com after a 10 second delay
Launches IE, navigates to www.yahoo.com on all machines except those running a server operating system
Launches IE, navigates to www.yahoo.com on all machines except those running a server operating system AFTER a 5 second delay
Launches IE, navigates to www.google.com on all machines except the one named WKSTN0125

There must be a space between the utility name (IEwebpageLauncher.vbe) and the URL of your desired start page. If you want to specify an exception or a delay, there must also be a space between them.

IDEAS:

Use it as a start up script for organizations that do not use group policies. Run the startup script on a group of end users.
Call the utility from a command line (see above examples).
Use it as a logon script specified in an Active Directory group policy (see example screen shots below).
Use it as a logon script in a GPO for your entire domain but, specify the -server exceptions so it only runs on workstations.

DOWNLOAD ~ DONATE ~

PLEASE USE THE NEW FORUM TO REPORT ISSUES, ASK QUESTIONS OR COMMENT ON THIS PRODUCT

Sample Screen Shots of usage in a GPO

If you have found this utility useful please consider making a DONATION. Donations help keep this site running, provide resources to develop new scripts, and further enhancements to existing scripts.

Home | FAQ | Forum | Contact |