Open an array of URLs in IE, whether IE is open or not, using PowerShell

Question

I have created a function that opens an array of one or more URLs in IE: the first URL should be opened in the first tab; successive URLs should be opened in background tabs. If IE is already open, the first URL should be opened in a new tab to preserve existing URLs.

function OpenSites($sites) {
    $isFirstSite = $true
    foreach ($site in $sites) {
        if ($isFirstSite) {
            if (Get-Process iexplore -ea silentlycontinue | Where-Object {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ""}) {
                $ie.Navigate2($site, $navOpenInNewTab)
            } else { $ie.Navigate2($site) }
            $isFirstSite = $false
        } else { $ie.Navigate2($site, $navOpenInBackgroundTab) }
    }
}

You could wrap it in an if statement as linked here: stackoverflow.com/questions/16356098/…. if ( Get-Process iexplore -ea silentlycontinue | Where-Object {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ""} ) — Tim Haintz
– Tim Haintz, Commented Sep 17, 2017 at 2:31
I adjusted my question in response to your comment. Why is an empty first tab opened if IE is not already open? — user2319146
– user2319146, Commented Sep 17, 2017 at 4:03
The part where you get/create the $ie instance is missing. You should always provide a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable example. — wp78de
– wp78de, Commented Sep 17, 2017 at 4:56

wp78de · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-17 08:04:38Z

1

I guess the first URL should be opened only in the first tab if the IE was not started before? And all successive URLs should be opened in background tabs, right?

Update: I hope this code is what you want:

$navOpenInNewTab = 0x800;
$navOpenInBackgroundTab = 0x1000;

$ie = $null
$newInstance = $false
if (Get-Process iexplore -ea silentlycontinue | Where-Object {$_.MainWindowTitle -ne ""}) {
    $ie = (New-Object -COM "Shell.Application").Windows() | ? { $_.Name -eq "Internet Explorer" } | Select-Object -First 1
    sleep -milliseconds 500
    $ie.visible = $true
    $newInstance = $false
} else {
    $ie = New-Object -COM "InternetExplorer.Application"
    sleep -milliseconds 500
    $ie.visible = $true
    $newInstance = $true
}
#[void] [System.Reflection.Assembly]::LoadWithPartialName("'Microsoft.VisualBasic")
#[Microsoft.VisualBasic.Interaction]::AppActivate("$($ie.LocationName) $($ie.Name)")
    sleep -milliseconds 50

Write-Host $newInstance
function OpenSites($sites) { 
    $isFirstSite = $true
    foreach ($site in $sites) 
    {
        if ($isFirstSite -eq $true)
        {
            if($newInstance) {
                $ie.Navigate2($site)
            } else {
                $ie.Navigate2($site, $navOpenInNewTab)
            }
        } else {
            $ie.Navigate2($site, $navOpenInBackgroundTab)
        }
        $isFirstSite = $false
    }
}

OpenSites -sites "www.bing.com","www.heise.com"

edited Sep 17, 2017 at 8:04

answered Sep 17, 2017 at 4:58

wp78de

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6 Comments

user2319146 Over a year ago

Thank you; as you might have guessed I am trying to make the script scalable by introducing functions.................... If IE is already open on the 1st run, both OpenSites URLs open in background tabs. On the 2nd run, the test for whether a URL with a specified string is open is skipped, and the same OpenSites URLs are opened again.................... If IE is not already open on the 1st run, the OpenSites URLs open as expected. On the 2nd run, the test succeeds, but the next OpenSites URLs are opened in background tabs.

user2319146 Over a year ago

(1) No: the first or only OpenSites URL should open in a new tab. (2) I have the beginnings of a 2nd function, but am otherwise using the test here. (3) As per (1).

wp78de Over a year ago

Okay, I think the update should do the trick now. I have noticed the script behaved differently when it was executed from the shell instead of the PoSH ISE. Strange.

user2319146 Over a year ago

Almost there: if IE is already open, on the 2nd run the test is skipped, and the same OpenSites URLs are opened again.

wp78de Over a year ago

This is not part of the original post. I guess I should stop to "work" for you. First, I had the impression you stepped up, but now..

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