--kiosk mode and windows 8

[dbr...@imperialmultimedia.com]

Hello,

I have a project that launches Chrome into kiosk mode using the --kiosk switch. I used the start up folder in Windows XP in order to start browser on start up and automatically display our webpage in fullscreen --kiosk mode.

It was working great, but now a client is trying to go this route on a windows 8 PC and I am running into problems. I figured out how to add and edit startup folder items, but Windows 8 insists on starting in its "Start" page touchscreen interface mode. When it does this, I don't see the browser, even though it did start up, albiet in the "Desktop" view.

I see that Chrome has a "Relaunch Chrome in Windows 8 Mode" option. However, when I switch to this, the --kiosk mode doesn't seem to work (it wont even go to the webpage). It will however at least start.

So, the general question is, can I recreate the behavior I had in XP using Windows 8... Is it possible to launch Chrome into --kiosk mode immediately after startup in Windows 8?

Thanks for any help on this.

[Nick Bachicha]

You could try using the HTML5 method for opening full screen.

Adding this to your html document . 

if (typeof document.cancelFullScreen != 'undefined' && document.fullScreenEnabled === true) {

  // mozilla proposal

  element.requestFullScreen();

  document.cancelFullScreen(); 

  // Webkit (works in Safari and Chrome )

  element.webkitRequestFullScreen(); 

  document.webkitCancelFullScreen(); 

  // Firefox (works in nightly)

  element.mozRequestFullScreen();

  document.mozCancelFullScreen(); 

  // W3C Proposal

  element.requestFullscreen();

  document.exitFullscreen();

}

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[sloth monkey]

Hi, I've had the same issue with that pesky Windows 8 and Chrome Kiosk.  Luckily though I have basically solved the problem. 

Here's a walkthru of what to do:

* Create a shortcut on the desktop to Chrome Kiosk. 
 - How to create shortcuts in Windows 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/2136-73-create-shortcuts-windows
 - If Chrome is installed system-wide, the application should be located at "C:\Program Files(x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe"
 - If Chrome is installed user-wide, the application should be located at %localappdata%\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
 - To have Chrome startup in kiosk mode, include the parameters -kiosk <WebsiteDirectory>.  For example: "C:\Program Files(x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" -kiosk C:\kiosk\default.html
 - As a personal preference, I recommend changing the icon for the Chrome Kiosk shortcut to be the gold variant so as to visually differentiate between the Kiosk shortcut and normal Chrome shortcuts.  More info on that here: http://www.howtogeek.com/56194/how-to-enable-google-chromes-secret-gold-icon/

* Place a copy of the Chrome Kiosk shortcut in the Startup folder.
 - Startup folder in Windows 8 is located at: C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
 - More info: http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/where-is-startup-folder-how-to-edit-startup-items-in-windows-8/

* Place a "Send Desktop" file in the Startup folder.
 - ZIP file containing Send Desktop is available for download here (I just used the script file there, not the exe): http://www.7tutorials.com/sites/default/files/Send%20Desktop_0.zip
 - More info and alternative options here: http://www.7tutorials.com/how-boot-desktop-windows-8-skip-start-screen
 - That should basically bypass the modern UI to automatically load the desktop, and Chrome Kiosk (assuming it's in startup folder).  It doesn't work perfectly, as there is a bit of a delay in loading and whatnot.. but at least it works. 

* You may also wish to have the computer automatically logon to Windows, so that people can turn the computer on, wait, and have it automatically fire everything up into kiosk mode.
 - To setup the computer to automatically logon, you go to the Run prompt (Windows key + R) and enter netplwiz.  Select your user account from the list, then uncheck the “Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer” checkbox then click the apply button.
 - More info: http://www.howtogeek.com/112919/how-to-make-your-windows-8-computer-logon-automatically/

* Make sure Chrome is loading in desktop mode, as it appears the kiosk mode doesn't currently work in Metro/Modern UI.  That option is accessible by the Chrome menu button.
 - More info: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13732-chrome-browser-toggle-between-desktop-windows-8-mode.html

* In case you are installing Chrome on systems that don't have Internet access, this may be useful: http://support.google.com/installer/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=126299

* If you have any issues where you wish to restrict the user more in their interaction with the kiosk computer, you can do things such as disable right click by using a program called X-Mouse Button Control.  Available for free here: http://www.highrez.co.uk/downloads/XMouseButtonControl.htm

* If you find the monitor or computer is turning off and hindering the kiosk experience, then it may not be the greenest choice, but you do have the option to adjust Windows power settings so that the monitor/computer/hard disks never go to sleep.  Figured I should mention it, since it was an issue for me. 
 - More info: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9090/learning-windows-7-manage-power-settings/


:-) Good luck!  If you appreciate the help, then pass it on by making a point to help someone else sometime or cut them a break when you might not have otherwise.  Take it easy. 

[dbr...@imperialmultimedia.com]

Thanks very much for this information, sloth monkey!