brettneuman / app-launcher

Run a windows application using different domain credentials without needing to type your password over and over again.

app-launcher

Run a windows application using different domain credentials without needing to type your password over and over again.

Prerequisites

• dotnet core 3.1 SDK
  • Windows SDK Link (for developer teams)
  • Latest Downloads Page

Command to install

Use the following command in install LAUNCH dotnet tool install launch --global

NOTE: We are installing this tool using the --global flag which means that this tool will be accessible from any working directory and without needing to use the DOTNET CLI. You should just be able to type launch now!

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Commands to Use

Using the LAUNCH tool is pretty simple.

1. You will first need to add your credentials. We associate a name with each domain/user/pw combination to make using the credentials easier.
2. You will also want to add your applications. This part is optional, but will give you an alias to use so that you don't have to type out the entire path to the executable each time.

1. Create a new credential

structure:

launch save cred --name {name} --domain {pwcamtax} --username {pwcguid001} --password {clear-text-password}

example:

launch save cred -n work -d allata -u brettneuman -p Password123

• NOTE: yes, the password will appear in clear-text so don't use this on a webex or where everyone can see your screen!

2. Create a new application reference

structure:

launch save app --name {name} --target {full-path-executable} --working-directory {path-to-working-directory}

example:

launch save app -n ssms -t "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\Common7\IDE\Ssms.exe -w "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\"

• NOTE: working directory is optional, but I've found some apps can be finicky if you don't set this

3. Launch an application

structure:

launch --credential {cred-name} --application {app-name}

example:

launch -c pwc -a ssms

4. Create a shortcut for your applications

• Create a shortcut for your application and then pin it to the start menu or task bar
  • just type the command directly in the Target box
• Remember to set the "Run as Administrator" option under the Advanced... options
• Also, it's a good idea to change your icon otherwise, it will show a generic icon for all links that use LAUNCH

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Saved Data

LAUNCH will store your credentials in a file located at c:\users\{UserName}\AppData\Local\app-launcher The password is encrypted using the AES_256_GCM algorithm.

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Starter Settings File

You can paste the applications section in directly, but the credentials will need to be added using the commands due to the encryption on the passwords.

{
  "Credentials": [ ],
  "Applications": [
    {
      "Name": "ssms",
      "Target": "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\\Common7\\IDE\\Ssms.exe",
      "WorkingDirectory": "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft SQL Server\\140\\Tools\\Binn\\ManagementStudio\\",
      "IconPath": null,
      "RunAsAdmin": false
    },
    {
      "Name": "vs",
      "Target": "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft Visual Studio\\2019\\Enterprise\\Common7\\IDE\\devenv.exe",
      "WorkingDirectory": "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft Visual Studio\\2019\\Enterprise\\Common7\\IDE\\",
      "IconPath": null,
      "RunAsAdmin": false
    },
    {
      "Name": "code",
      "Target": "C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\Code.exe",
      "WorkingDirectory": "C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft VS Code\\",
      "IconPath": null,
      "RunAsAdmin": false
    },
    {
      "Name": "data",
      "Target": "C:\\Program Files\\Azure Data Studio\\azuredatastudio.exe",
      "WorkingDirectory": null,
      "IconPath": null,
      "RunAsAdmin": false
    },
    {
      "Name": "con",
      "Target": "C:\\Program Files\\ConEmu\\ConEmu64.exe",
      "WorkingDirectory": null,
      "IconPath": null,
      "RunAsAdmin": false
    }
  ]
}