How to open a file with the default associated program

Question

How do I open a file with the default associated program in Java? (for example a movie file)

Answer 1

You can use Desktop.getDesktop().open(File file). See the following question for other options: "[Java] How to open user system preffered editor for given file?"

Answer 2

few examples to open files with default program

Example 1 : Runtime.getRuntime().exec("rundll32.exe shell32.dll ShellExec_RunDLL " + fileName);
Example 2 : Runtime.getRuntime().exec("rundll32.exe url.dll FileProtocolHandler " + fileName);
Example 3 : Desktop.getDesktop().open(fileName);


alternative...

Runtime.getRuntime().exec(fileName.toString());
Runtime.getRuntime().exec("cmd.exe /c Start " + fileName);
Runtime.getRuntime().exec("powershell.exe /c Start " + fileName);
Runtime.getRuntime().exec("explorer.exe " + fileName);
Runtime.getRuntime().exec("rundll32.exe SHELL32.DLL,OpenAs_RunDLL " + fileName);

Or....

public static void openFile(int selecType, File fileName) throws Exception {

    String[] commandText = null;

    if (!fileName.exists()) {
        JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, "File not found", "Error", 1);
    } else {

        switch (selecType) {
            case 0:
                //Default function
                break;
            case 1:
                commandText = new String[]{"rundll32.exe", "shell32.dll", "ShellExec_RunDLL", fileName.getAbsolutePath()};
                break;
            case 2:
                commandText = new String[]{"rundll32.exe", "url.dll", "FileProtocolHandler", fileName.getAbsolutePath()};
                break;
            case 3:
                commandText = new String[]{fileName.toString()};
                break;
            case 4:
                commandText = new String[]{"cmd.exe", "/c", "Start", fileName.getAbsolutePath()};
                break;
            case 5:
                commandText = new String[]{"powershell.exe", "/c", "Start", fileName.getAbsolutePath()};
                break;
            case 6:
                commandText = new String[]{"explorer.exe", fileName.getAbsolutePath()};
                break;
            case 7:
                commandText = new String[]{"rundll32.exe", "shell32.dll", "OpenAs_RunDLL", fileName.getAbsolutePath()}; //File open With
                break;
        }

        if (selecType == 0) {
            Desktop.getDesktop().open(fileName);
        } else if (selecType < 8) {
            Process runFile = new ProcessBuilder(commandText).start();
            runFile.waitFor();
        } else {
            String errorText = "\nChoose a number from 1 to 7\n\nExample : openFile(1,\"" + fileName + "\")\n\n";
            System.err.println(errorText);
            JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, errorText, "Error", 1);
        }

    }

}

Answer 3

SwingHacks has a solution for older versions of Java.

I think they used the Runtime object to execute the 'start' command on windows and there is a similar command on the mac.

Answer 4

Here you go:

File myFile = new File("your any type of file url");
FileOpen.openFile(mContext, myFile);

Create a different class within the package:

// code to open default application present in the handset


public class FileOpen {

    public static void openFile(Context context, File url) throws IOException {
        // Create URI
        File file=url;
        Uri uri = Uri.fromFile(file);

        Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
        // Check what kind of file you are trying to open, by comparing the url with extensions.
        // When the if condition is matched, plugin sets the correct intent (mime) type, 
        // so Android knew what application to use to open the file
        if (url.toString().contains(".doc") || url.toString().contains(".docx")) {
            // Word document
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "application/msword");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".pdf")) {
            // PDF file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "application/pdf");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".ppt") || url.toString().contains(".pptx")) {
            // Powerpoint file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "application/vnd.ms-powerpoint");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".xls") || url.toString().contains(".xlsx")) {
            // Excel file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "application/vnd.ms-excel");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".zip") || url.toString().contains(".rar")) {
            // WAV audio file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "application/x-wav");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".rtf")) {
            // RTF file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "application/rtf");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".wav") || url.toString().contains(".mp3")) {
            // WAV audio file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "audio/x-wav");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".gif")) {
            // GIF file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "image/gif");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".jpg") || url.toString().contains(".jpeg") || url.toString().contains(".png")) {
            // JPG file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "image/jpeg");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".txt")) {
            // Text file
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "text/plain");
        } else if(url.toString().contains(".3gp") || url.toString().contains(".mpg") || url.toString().contains(".mpeg") || url.toString().contains(".mpe") || url.toString().contains(".mp4") || url.toString().contains(".avi")) {
            // Video files
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "video/*");
        } else {
            //if you want you can also define the intent type for any other file

            //additionally use else clause below, to manage other unknown extensions
            //in this case, Android will show all applications installed on the device
            //so you can choose which application to use
            intent.setDataAndType(uri, "*/*");
        }

        intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK); 
        context.startActivity(intent);
    }
}