How to Launch GUI Programs from PHP on Windows XP with Apache Permissions?

Executing External GUI Programs with PHP: Resolving System and Exec Limitations

Background

When running PHP applications in a controlled environment, the need often arises to initiate external processes, such as backups and reports. However, using system() or exec() to start GUI programs often falls short, leaving users with silent processes or failed attempts.

Solution

Despite the limitations, it is indeed possible to spawn GUI programs from PHP on Windows XP using Apache as the server. This entails granting the Apache service permission to interact with the desktop:

1. Access Services (type "services.msc" in Run)
2. Locate the Apache service
3. Open service properties
4. Under Log On account, enable the checkbox for "Allow service to interact with Desktop"
5. Stop and restart the service

PHP Code

With the necessary permissions granted, PHP scripts can now launch GUI processes:

Non-blocking (program runs in background):

<code class="php">pclose(popen("start /B notepad.exe", "r"));</code>

Blocking (program must close before continuing):

<code class="php">system('start notepad.exe');</code>

Note

On some systems, it may be necessary to run the Apache service as Local System account for the interaction with desktop option to be available. However, this has implications for accessing network shares with specific user permissions.

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