Launch desktop application from MSBuild

StackOverflow https://stackoverflow.com/questions/21476097

  •  05-10-2022
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Question

Is there any way to launch desktop application like Internet Explorer from task of TFS build?

Was it helpful?

Solution

TFSBuild runs as a service and cannot launch interactive (i.e. Apps with a UI) applications.

Update: Apparently it's possible to configure TFS Build to run in interactive mode if you absolutely must: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/ms181712.aspx#interactive

OTHER TIPS

You can but may not be what you are looking for. Every process launched from a Windows (NT) Service runs on Session 0, invisible to a logged on user. Also the environment is peculiar and not recommended for automated testing.

You have two major options:

  1. run the build agent in Interactive mode (see Run your build server in interactive mode
  2. use the test agent, again in Interactive mode (see How to: Set Up Your Test Agent to Run Tests that Interact with the Desktop

Have you tried using Exec task? and pointing it to an executable you need?

<Target Name="RunIEForWhatEverReason">
    <Exec Command="explorer.exe"/>
</Target>

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