Excel is good at opening websites and running programs
One way is via hyperlinks, but Excel through the API can also perform these tasks.
Sub RunProgram(sFile, Optional args, Optional runInFolder)
'Version: 1.000
'Purpose: This run passed sFile
Dim RetVal As Long
On Error Resume Next
RetVal = ShellExecute(0, "open", sFile, "", "", SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED)
End Sub
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Public Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "Shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" ( ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal lpParameters As String, ByVal lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long