Here's one solution, kinda convoluted, but accomplishes what you want. Hope this helps 🙂
Problem:
PHP should never let you execute an arbitrary script on a client by hittig a web page. This is the worst kind of security violation (if it could, what's to stop some jerk from writing a php page that deletes some files, and sending out an html email that spreads and directs people to that page?) I hope you see why PHP won't let you do that.
What we have to work with:
You can execute programs on the server from the server, or programs on the client from the client. This makes sense. If you can't even trust yourself...
Solution:
Write a web page that will exist on the client somewhere (c:\launcher.html) that contains javascript that launches the application. Write a web page on the server that links to this script on the client with the necessary parameters (<a href="C:\launcher.html?exec=MSWORD"> launch word from your browser! </a>).
You can embed javascript or vbscript in the html page on the client. Users would have to download this page once to be able to use this service. You could even store the location of the actual launcher.html file in a cookie, so the user can place the file in an arbitrary location.
email me if this is unclear.
