How to Open a Local Folder with a Link: A Step-by-Step Solution

Opening a Local Folder with a Link

Introduction

Opening a local folder directly from a web page link can seem like a simple task, but it poses technical challenges due to security restrictions. This article explores the solution to this issue, which involves creating a downloadable URL shortcut to the desired folder.

Solution Details

To bypass security restrictions and open a local folder, the following steps are involved:

1. Create a URL Shortcut File:

   • Generate a .url text file with the following contents:

     [InternetShortcut]
     URL=file:///Desired/Folder/Path

   • Alternatively, a .lnk binary file can be created, though this requires additional complexity.

2. Configure Web Server:

   • Add .url to the accepted MIME types in the web server (e.g., IIS).
   • For Webkit browsers on Apache servers, add specific header configuration to allow attachment downloads.

3. Create a Link:

   • Provide a link in HTML to the generated .url file.

Browser Behavior

The behavior of the link in different browsers is as follows:

• Chrome: Prompts to download the .url file, then opens it.
• Firefox: Prompts to download the .url file, then opens it.
• Internet Explorer: Opens the folder directly without prompting to download.

Benefits of the Solution

This solution allows users to conveniently access local folders from web pages without compromising security by:

• Overcoming Security Restrictions: Bypassing security measures that prevent direct folder access from web pages.
• Providing a User-Friendly Experience: Offering a simple and intuitive way to open folders with a link click.

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