href Link not working in ASP.NET PAGE

Question

href Link not working in ASP.NET PAGE

BeUnique 2,332

I am developing ASP.NET web application. In this, one of the pages i have several URL which contains below sample.

<li><a href="file://SVRUS1XX/USA/MPS/TEK/STD REMOTE/1.INITIAL/">FIRST TAKE </a></li>

while running the web forms, when i click the URL, nothing will happen...?

How to open this folder while clicking the link...?

Pls. help us to resolve this...

AgaveJoe 31,346 Reputation points

2023-05-16T13:36:27.4433333+00:00

It is not clear from the code where the folder exists. But, this design approach will not work due to browser security.

How to open this folder while clicking the link...?

Web applications run on a server and return HTML that's viewed with a browser. Create a Web Forms that displays the folder contents using standard Web Forms controls and HTML.
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T06:19:28.4233333+00:00

Hi @AgaveJoe ,

Thanks for help..

We have some requirement which is hard coding path in every web page of asp.net application.

we were thinking that it doesn't required link button to use those "server folder"

that is the reason we used path directly using "ahref" instead of linkbutton.
Lan Huang-MSFT 30,211 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-05-17T07:45:00.2433333+00:00

Hi @Gani_tpt,

This is due to security restrictions in the browser. If you generate a "file://" link, it is relative to the user's file system.

Theoretically, if browsers allowed these types of links, attackers could discover information about a user's file system remotely. Thus, modern browsers do not allow this type of link.

You can choose to create folders in your project, since projects can only access local files in the current project. You cannot access files outside the project scope.
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T07:54:24.0833333+00:00

Hi @Lan Huang-MSFT ,

Thanks for your reply.

I understood your points was saying that, "Thus, modern browsers do not allow this type of link due to security reasons".

My project located in one server and referring the "directory folder" in another server"

The hyper link just saying that, "when user clicks on the hyperlink, it shall just open the folder only and does not opens any document"

Hence, i want the code, "when end user clicks on the hyper link, it should open the windows explorer file location only"

How to do this...?

<li><asp:LinkButton Text="Test" ID="LinkButton1" runat="server"></asp:LinkButton> </li>

My server path like ==> //SVRUS1XX/USA/MPS/TEK/STD REMOTE/1.INITIAL/
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T09:27:45.3766667+00:00
Hi @Lan Huang-MSFT ,

I used below code for open the server path folder.

pls. confirm whether the below code works always....?????

<li><asp:LinkButton ID="lnkOpen" runat="server" Text="File Folder" OnClick="OnOpen"></asp:LinkButton></li>

protected void OnOpen(object sender, EventArgs e) { string strServerPath = @"\\SVRUS1XX\USA\MPS\TEK\STD REMOTE\1.INITIAL\"; System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(strServerPath); }
Lan Huang-MSFT 30,211 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-05-17T09:44:25.0366667+00:00

Hi @Gani_tpt,

The code you provided is not displayed.
AgaveJoe 31,346 Reputation points

2023-05-17T10:37:41.99+00:00

I used below code for open the server path folder. pls. confirm whether the below code works always....?????

Your approach does NOT work. The code only seems to work on your development machine because your development machine is both the client and the server. Once deployed on a remote server the code starts the process on the server which is not visible to the user. You need to rethink the design.

Create a web page that displays file and folders. Just do a simple Google search for example code.
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T15:05:26.9233333+00:00

I am using the below code in web page only with asp Linkbutton.

As said above, it will work only in development machine.

But, the same will not be functioning in Remote server.

we tried many search in the google. but, couldn't get the exact solution for this.

This is urgent pls. help.
Lan Huang-MSFT 30,211 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-05-18T06:30:23.9466667+00:00

Hi @Gani_tpt,

But, the same will not be functioning in Remote server.

This may be a permission issue,you have to have file system access on other server to do this.

Answer accepted by question author

1 additional answer

Your answer

AgaveJoe 31,346 Reputation points

2023-05-16T13:36:27.4433333+00:00

It is not clear from the code where the folder exists. But, this design approach will not work due to browser security.

How to open this folder while clicking the link...?

Web applications run on a server and return HTML that's viewed with a browser. Create a Web Forms that displays the folder contents using standard Web Forms controls and HTML.
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T06:19:28.4233333+00:00

Hi @AgaveJoe ,

Thanks for help..

We have some requirement which is hard coding path in every web page of asp.net application.

we were thinking that it doesn't required link button to use those "server folder"

that is the reason we used path directly using "ahref" instead of linkbutton.
Lan Huang-MSFT 30,211 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-05-17T07:45:00.2433333+00:00

Hi @Gani_tpt,

This is due to security restrictions in the browser. If you generate a "file://" link, it is relative to the user's file system.

Theoretically, if browsers allowed these types of links, attackers could discover information about a user's file system remotely. Thus, modern browsers do not allow this type of link.

You can choose to create folders in your project, since projects can only access local files in the current project. You cannot access files outside the project scope.
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T07:54:24.0833333+00:00

Hi @Lan Huang-MSFT ,

Thanks for your reply.

I understood your points was saying that, "Thus, modern browsers do not allow this type of link due to security reasons".

My project located in one server and referring the "directory folder" in another server"

The hyper link just saying that, "when user clicks on the hyperlink, it shall just open the folder only and does not opens any document"

Hence, i want the code, "when end user clicks on the hyper link, it should open the windows explorer file location only"

How to do this...?

<li><asp:LinkButton Text="Test" ID="LinkButton1" runat="server"></asp:LinkButton> </li>

My server path like ==> //SVRUS1XX/USA/MPS/TEK/STD REMOTE/1.INITIAL/
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T09:27:45.3766667+00:00

Hi @Lan Huang-MSFT ,

I used below code for open the server path folder.

pls. confirm whether the below code works always....?????

<li><asp:LinkButton ID="lnkOpen" runat="server" Text="File Folder" OnClick="OnOpen"></asp:LinkButton></li>

protected void OnOpen(object sender, EventArgs e) { string strServerPath = @"\\SVRUS1XX\USA\MPS\TEK\STD REMOTE\1.INITIAL\"; System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(strServerPath); }
Lan Huang-MSFT 30,211 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-05-17T09:44:25.0366667+00:00

Hi @Gani_tpt,

The code you provided is not displayed.
AgaveJoe 31,346 Reputation points

2023-05-17T10:37:41.99+00:00

I used below code for open the server path folder. pls. confirm whether the below code works always....?????

Your approach does NOT work. The code only seems to work on your development machine because your development machine is both the client and the server. Once deployed on a remote server the code starts the process on the server which is not visible to the user. You need to rethink the design.

Create a web page that displays file and folders. Just do a simple Google search for example code.
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T15:05:26.9233333+00:00

I am using the below code in web page only with asp Linkbutton.

As said above, it will work only in development machine.

But, the same will not be functioning in Remote server.

we tried many search in the google. but, couldn't get the exact solution for this.

This is urgent pls. help.
Lan Huang-MSFT 30,211 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-05-18T06:30:23.9466667+00:00

Hi @Gani_tpt,

But, the same will not be functioning in Remote server.

This may be a permission issue,you have to have file system access on other server to do this.

Answer 1

AgaveJoe 31,346

we tried many search in the google. but, couldn't get the exact solution for this.

You are having a hard time finding a solution because your use case is not possible. You'll need to come up with a different design approach that works with web applications.

One options is to create a web page that lists the files. Use a standard Web Forms OnClick to download the file. Keep in mind, the web application must have read rights to the file share. Below is a simple example to get you started.

namespace WebFormsDemo.FilesAndFolders
{
    public partial class _default : System.Web.UI.Page
    {
        public const string FolderPath = @"C:\Images";
        protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            FileList.DataSource = GetfilesAndFolder(FolderPath);
            FileList.DataBind();
        }

        private string[] GetfilesAndFolder(string path)
        {
            return Directory.GetFiles(path, "*.*", SearchOption.AllDirectories);
        }

        protected void FileLinkButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            string path = ((LinkButton)sender).Text;
            Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream";
            Response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", string.Format("attachment; filename={0}", Path.GetFileName(path)));
            Response.TransmitFile(path);
            Response.End();
        }
    }
}

<asp:Repeater ID="FileList" runat="server">
    <HeaderTemplate>
        <ul>
    </HeaderTemplate>
    <ItemTemplate>
        <ul>
            <asp:LinkButton ID="FileLinkButton" runat="server" Text="<%# Container.DataItem %>" OnClick="FileLinkButton_Click" />
        </ul>
    </ItemTemplate>
    <FooterTemplate>
        </ul>
    </FooterTemplate>
</asp:Repeater>

BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-18T05:38:42.95+00:00

Hi @AgaveJoe ,

Thanks for your reply.

Your code is perfect.

But, my requirement is, i don't want to show all the files in the directory. i just want to open the mentioned folder.

Note : The important point is, every hyperlink is referring different folder. so, i think repeater is not required to do the process.

pls. suggest.

AgaveJoe 31,346

But, my requirement is, i don't want to show all the files in the directory. i just want to open the mentioned folder.

I'm confused by your response. The example code displays the contents of the C:/Images folder which is like opening the C:/Images folder.

Note : The important point is, every hyperlink is referring different folder. so, i think repeater is not required to do the process.

The Repeater shows the contents of the folder which makes sense because folder contents are dynamic.

If I understand, you have a hardcoded list of folder. Clicking one of the folders shows the folder content. This is a trivial update to the code I already provided.

        <div>
            <asp:LinkButton ID="FolderLinkbutton" OnClick="FolderLinkbutton_Click" runat="server" Text="C:\Images" />
        </div>
        <hr />
        <div>
            <asp:Repeater ID="FileList" runat="server">
                <HeaderTemplate>
                    <ul>
                </HeaderTemplate>
                <ItemTemplate>
                    <ul>
                        <asp:LinkButton ID="FileLinkButton" runat="server" Text="<%# Container.DataItem %>" OnClick="FileLinkButton_Click" />
                    </ul>
                </ItemTemplate>
                <FooterTemplate>
                    </ul>
                </FooterTemplate>
            </asp:Repeater>
        </div>

    public partial class _default : System.Web.UI.Page
    {
        protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {

        }

        public void RenderFolderContents(string FolderPath)
        {
            FileList.DataSource = GetfilesAndFolder(FolderPath);
            FileList.DataBind();
        }

        private string[] GetfilesAndFolder(string path)
        {
            return Directory.GetFiles(path, "*.*", SearchOption.AllDirectories);
        }

        protected void FileLinkButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            string path = ((LinkButton)sender).Text;
            Response.ContentType = "application/octet-stream";
            Response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", string.Format("attachment; filename={0}", Path.GetFileName(path)));
            Response.TransmitFile(path);
            Response.End();
        }

        protected void FolderLinkbutton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            string path = ((LinkButton)sender).Text;
            RenderFolderContents(path);
        }
    }

BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-18T12:35:35.1233333+00:00

Hi @AgaveJoe ,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I am really sorry to misunderstood the concepts.

Your code logic is, when click the link and it will open the file and location in the same web page.

But, it should not like that...(Sorry to say this)...

My requirement is very very simple concept.

When i click the hyperlink, it should open the physical windows explorer location.....nothing else....

no need to worry about the file name.

It just open the physical file location through windows explorer.

below is the example when click the hyperlink it should open the physical file location
AgaveJoe 31,346 Reputation points

2023-05-18T13:49:04.73+00:00

When i click the hyperlink, it should open the physical windows explorer location.....nothing else....

As explained several times, your requirement is not possible. You cannot open Windows Explorer on the client's machine from a link generated on a web server due to browser security.
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-19T09:11:28.7166667+00:00

Hi @AgaveJoe ,

Thanks for your time and good solutions.
BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-22T06:20:42.7133333+00:00

Hi @AgaveJoe ,

sorry to open comments again.

i have small doubt in link button event..

Is it possible to open file explorer in new windows using above same code like "target =_new" in Link button...?

if this is possible, then my problem solved.....

Note : Also, it's taking too much time to load the files in the page (nearly 30 to 45 mins) to load all the files from the folder....
AgaveJoe 31,346 Reputation points

2023-05-22T10:38:42.2766667+00:00
Is it possible to open file explorer in new windows using above same code like "target =_new" in Link button...?

Opening Windows Explorer is not possible. If you want to open a web page with the file list in a new tab then just pass the folder path in the querystring.

<a href="/FilesAndFolders/default.aspx?path=C:\Images" target="_blank">C:\Images</a>

protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { if(Request["path"] != null) { RenderFolderContents(Request["path"]); } }

Answer 2

Bruce (SqlWork.com) 83,821

browser security has removed support of the file:// protocol, but it never supported folder access only file. if you google you can find samples of exposing a file system as downloadable links.

BeUnique 2,332 Reputation points

2023-05-17T06:14:25.1133333+00:00

Hi @Anonymous ,

Thanks for your prompt response.

can you pls. provide some exact examples or some sample source code..?
Albert Kallal 5,591 Reputation points

2023-05-17T12:36:22.9833333+00:00
As noted, the web server can't run or start programs on YOUR computer. If a web server could do that, then while you come to my site to view a cute cat picture, then if my web server could launch + run software, then I would launch some software to say grab your outlook contacts, or even say grab some files called "my banking" or "my passwords". And if your web server could do that? Well, then I don't think anyone would ever use the web again due to security risks, right?

As noted, this code:

protected void OnOpen(object sender, EventArgs e) { string strServerPath = @"\\SVRUS1XX\USA\MPS\TEK\STD REMOTE\1.INITIAL\"; System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(strServerPath); }

That's going to launch the code + file on the web server, so you would see your program launch on the server room console, not your client side computer running the browser:

eg this screen:

As noted, you don't have the ability to launch software on the client side computer running the browser - and if you could do that, then as noted, I don't think anyone would ever risk using a web browser again, would they? So, just keep in mind that your "code behind" is running on the server, and any desktop/windows software used, or launched by the web server would appear on the monitor attached to the web server, not on the client side receiving output to the web browser.

About the only practical approach is to give users a option to download a file. And in most cases, you can't control the location of that download (most browsers defalut to a folder called "down loads". Thus, after a user downloads a file, they are to un-zip the file, or at the very least move the file from their downloads folder to wherever they want

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href Link not working in ASP.NET PAGE

1 additional answer

Your answer