I am making an html/javascript browser homepage, that could be downloaded to any computer – you simply run the *.html file from your computer and it opens in your default browser; in it you have a compact homepage, with several options – you can make a bookmark list, write notes etc. You can leave it opened as it is just a separate tab.
I’m wondering whether it’s possible to use javascript in order to open, for example, windows media player or make it possible for the user to set a default music player. Or even close the previously opened program? Could this be done?
I think it would be best if the user could just set the default programs. Getting the file location is not the problem, is anything else needed?
You can’t do this unless you write a browser extension (plugin), for example.
Most web browsers put a lot of work into sandboxing JavaScript so any malicious users can’t compromise the system the client’s browser is running on, although older browsers are as watertight as sieves. Modern browsers are a lot better, but there are/may be some holes somewhere. All this security means that JavaScript can’t (isn’t supposed to be able to) access any part of the client’s machine.