How To: Download and Use Launcher

How To: Download and Use Launcher



The Yellow Dog Launcher allows users who manage multiple Yellow Dog Inventory databases to access all environments from a single application.

Using the launcher eliminates the need to maintain multiple Yellow Dog desktop icons and simplifies switching between systems.


Before installing the launcher, confirm the following:

  • Yellow Dog Inventory databases are already installed.
  • You have administrator access to at least one folder on your computer.
  • Microsoft .NET 9.0 or higher is installed.

If .NET is not installed, the launcher prompts you to install it during the first launch.




Create the Yellow Dog Instances Folder

Create a folder that will store all Yellow Dog installation folders.

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Create a new folder named Yellow Dog Instances.
  3. Save the folder in one of the following recommended locations:
    • C:\
    • C:\Program Files
    • C:\Program Files (x86)

Example: C:\Yellow Dog Instances

  1. Locate your existing Yellow Dog install folders.
  2. Move each install folder into the new Yellow Dog Instances folder.

Example structure:

C:\Yellow Dog Instances
   ├── YellowDogInventory_Stadium
   ├── YellowDogInventory_Retail
  └── YellowDogInventory_Training
All Yellow Dog install folders should be stored in this folder so the Yellow Dog Launcher can detect them during the auto-scan process.
Figure: Example folder structure 

Download the Launcher Installer

  2. Sign in with your Yellow Dog username and password.
  3. Select the User icon in the top-right corner.
  4. Click Client Install Guide.
  5. Select Launcher Installer.

The installer downloads to your default download location- typically the Downloads folder as a zipped file

Extract the Installer

  1. Navigate to your Downloads folder.
  2. Right-click the downloaded ZIP file.
  3. Select Extract All.
  4. When prompted, choose a destination such as:
    • C:\
    • C:\Program Files

After extraction, open the new folder.

Create a Desktop Shortcut

  1. Locate the YDILauncher application inside the extracted folder.
  2. Right-click the application.
  3. Select Create Shortcut.
  4. Drag the shortcut to your desktop.

This shortcut will be used to access your Yellow Dog systems. 

Run the Launcher for the First Time

  1. Right-click the YDILauncher desktop shortcut.
  2. Select Run as administrator.

If .NET 9.0 or higher is not installed:

  1. The launcher prompts you to download it.
  2. Complete the download.
  3. Open the .NET setup wizard in your Downloads folder.
  4. Follow the installation steps.

After installation completes:

  1. Right-click the YDILauncher shortcut again.
  2. Select Run as administrator   

Configure the Launcher

After launching the application, configure the launcher to locate your Yellow Dog installations.

  1. Select the Settings (gear icon) in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Program.
  3. Enter an Instance Title (for example, your company or property name).
  4.  Configure Auto-Scan Directories Set the file path the launcher will scan for Yellow Dog installs and configuration files.
    1. Example: C:\Yellow Dog Instances
  5. Auto-Scan Install Directory Enter the path to the Yellow Dog Instances Folder created earlier 
    1.   Example: C:\Yellow Dog Instances  
  6. Select Always Scan on Start Up   

This setting allows the launcher to automatically detect new Yellow Dog installations when the application starts.

Verify Connections

  1. Select Connections in the left navigation panel.
  2. Confirm that all Yellow Dog instances appear in the list.

If configured correctly, each instance will be available to launch from the Connections screen.

Optional: Add Group Names to Connections

You can assign a Group name to a connection to organize related Yellow Dog instances on the Connections screen.

Groups help when you manage many environments.

Common group examples include:

  1. property
  2. region
  3. environment type
  4. department

After assigning groups, related connections appear together on the Connections page.

Result

After configuration:

  • The Yellow Dog Launcher scans your configured folder.
  • All available Yellow Dog Inventory instances appear in the Connections screen.
Users can launch any environment directly from the launcher. 



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