Overview: The Active SmartLink Handler makes your existing HowNow SmartLinks open in the Active Platform instead of HowNow. Once it is installed, clicking a SmartLink in an email, spreadsheet or document opens a preview of that document in Active Platform.
How it works
SmartLinks use a special link type (a URL protocol) that Windows passes to whichever program is registered for it. Until now, that program was HowNow.
The Active SmartLink Handler is a small Windows installer (MSI) that replaces this URL protocol, so SmartLinks are sent to the Active Platform domain instead of HowNow. Active Platform then:
Reads the link details from the SmartLink.
Finds the matching document.
Opens the document for preview.
After installation, SmartLinks will no longer open in HowNow on that computer.
Before you begin
Check the following before installing:
Windows computer. The handler is a Windows MSI installer and is not supported for Mac.
Administrator rights. Changing the SmartLink link type requires admin access. If you don't have it, ask your IT team to install it for you (see Deploying across your organisation below).
An Active Platform login. You must have an Active Platform account with access to the documents your SmartLinks point to.
Download the installer file.
Installing the handler
Close HowNow if it is open.
Double-click ActiveSmartLinkHandler-1.0.2.msi to start the installer.
If Windows asks whether to allow the app to make changes, click Yes.
Follow the prompts and click Install.
When the installer finishes, click Finish.
Deploying across your organisation
IT teams can deploy the MSI silently using Group Policy, Intune, SCCM or another software deployment tool. A typical silent install command is:
msiexec /i "ActiveSmartLinkHandler-1.0.2.msi" /qn
The handler is a per-machine install. It registers the SmartLink protocol under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, so it applies to every user on the computer. Deploy it in the machine (system) context with administrator rights.
Checking it works
Find an email or file that contains a SmartLink.
Click the SmartLink.
If your browser asks whether to open the Active SmartLink Handler, tick Always allow and click Open.
Sign in to Active Platform if prompted.
The document should open for preview in Active Platform. If it opens in HowNow, or nothing happens, see Troubleshooting below.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Problem or question | What to do |
SmartLinks still open in HowNow | Sign out of Windows and back in. If it continues, reinstall the handler as an administrator. |
Nothing happens when I click a SmartLink | Check the handler appears in Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Try the link from a different program (e.g. Outlook vs. a browser). |
“Document not found” or no access | The document may not be in Active Platform yet, or your account may not have permission. Contact your Active Platform administrator. |
I'm asked to sign in every time | Stay signed in to Active Platform in your default browser. |
Can I still open documents in HowNow? | Not via SmartLinks on a computer with the handler installed. You can still open HowNow directly. |
Do I need to recreate my SmartLinks? | No. Existing SmartLinks work as they are. |
Does it work on Mac or mobile? | Only Windows environments are supported. |
Uninstalling
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Active SmartLink Handler, and click Uninstall.
Your IT team can also uninstall it remotely using the same deployment tool they used to install it (Group Policy, Intune, SCCM or similar). A typical silent uninstall command is:
msiexec /x "ActiveSmartLinkHandler-1.0.2.msi" /qn
As with installation, run the uninstall in the machine (system) context with administrator rights.