9

Is there a free application out there that will intercept requests from applications to open a URL and prompt me as to whether or not I want the URL to be opened? (For instance, after Adobe Reader installs, it opens its website to get feedback about the install process.)

Ideally, it would be lightweight software for just this task, but if a larger firewall/security app provides this feature, that would be acceptable.

I'm using windows 7 32-bit.

As stating in a comment below, the idea is that you don't want the browser to open (assume it's not already running), so an extension (e.g. for Chrome, ffox) wouldn't be relevant.

7
  • You would have to intercept the call to the url handler OR install an extension on your favorite browser to have you click "Yes" or "No" upon opening a new tab. Either way, it would get VERY annoying VERY quickly.
    – jnovack
    Apr 4, 2013 at 16:37
  • 2
    What OS are you talking about?
    – slhck
    Apr 4, 2013 at 16:38
  • Any software that does exist wouldn't be very effective. There are a dozen ways to open a process that cannot be blocked by another application.
    – Ramhound
    Apr 4, 2013 at 16:46
  • Alternatively - How does one write a minimal application that would "present itself" in the list of default browser options in Windows, KDE and Gnome? Can any binary or executable take that role, or do thy have to register with some OS API? Apr 4, 2013 at 22:50
  • @jnovack The idea is that you don't want the browser to open (assume it's not already running), so an extension wouldn't be relevant.
    – Pat
    Apr 6, 2013 at 0:14

2 Answers 2

3

You could try Browser Chooser. It is a program that acts as your default browser but in fact gives you the option of choosing which browser to open an URL with. If you don't want to open the URL just close the Browser Chooser window.

1
  • Browser Tamer is more advanced in my opinion. It's a tiny and fast system util that doesn't get in your way. Also installable from Scoop.
    – Ivan G.
    Feb 11, 2022 at 10:33
-1

Or if you are using chrome, you can use AdBlock. It closes all unnecessary windows.

1
  • I'm not going to downvote your answer, but the comments under the original post (and now edits to the OP) clarify that browser extensions are useless - the idea is to intercept calls before they get to a normal browser so that you don't need to have the browser even be opened at all (if it's not running).
    – Pat
    Apr 15, 2013 at 20:16

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .