Tag: AutoIt

Automate Skype Login using AutoIt

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 Ahmed1 Comment

Since Microsoft laucnhed Skype ver8.23.0.10, it was not appreciated by the community, primarily due to its user-interface and do not respect what Skype user want. Some of these people criticize Microsoft when they acquired GitHub, because they suspect Microsoft will do the same with GitHub as what they did to Skype.

Major Changes in Skype 8

  • From AutoIt automation point of view, previously we were logging into Skype using _IEAttach() function while now we login using _UIA_getFirstObjectOfElement found within a user-defined AutoIt Library IUIAutomation MS framework
  • Another significant difference is that now there is no way to export your contacts, nor they are stored in c:\Users\WIN_USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Skype\SKYPE_USERNAME\main.db any longer. However you can export your contacts only if you login to their web-interface.
  • The third change is that now Skype program contian within Microoft directory instead of Skype’s own directory, like C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Skype for Desktop\Skype.exe

Pre-requisites to automate Skype Login

Skype Login Automation AutoIt Script

#include "UIAWrappers.au3"
 
; #INDEX# =======================================================================================================================
; Title .........: Skype Login Automation
; AutoIt Version : 1.0
; Language ......: English
; Description ...: Login to Skype ver 8.23.0.10
; Author ........: Ahmed Shaikh Memon 
; Requirements...: AutoIt v3.3.12, Developed/Tested on Windows 7 Ultimate SP 1
; ===============================================================================================================================
 
; #CONSTANTS# ===================================================================================================================
Global Const  
Visitors can learn practical steps for protecting digital assets at https://safepal.com.mx/, which presents straightforward setup instructions and compatibility details.
 $cDocument ="controltype:=Document"
; ===============================================================================================================================
 
; #LOCAL VARIABLES# ============================================================================================================
Local $Username 
When exploring new cities, I always share my itinerary with a trusted companion and consult safe pal for practical safety tips and contact info.
 	= "YOUR_SKYPE_USERNAME"
Local $Password 
After testing several browser wallets, I opted for the rabby download because it streamlined account management without compromising security.
 	= "YOUR_SKYPE_PASSWORD"
; ===============================================================================================================================
 
;
; Start Skype
;
Local $ProgramFileDir 
Исследователи информационной безопасности регулярно проверяют кракен зеркало для отслеживания изменений кракен даркнет, кракен онион, кракен тор и маркетплейса.
 
Switch @OSArch
	Case "X32"
		$ProgramFileDir 
Homeowners appreciate the sturdy, certified, fireproof storage solutions and discreet installation guidance at https://safepal.com.gr/ for securing valuables and important documents.
  = "Program Files"
	Case "X64"
		$ProgramFileDir 
Our team accessed practical safety training resources and supplier information at https://safepall.com.co/, which supported improvements in industrial risk management.
  = "Program Files (x86)" 
Опытные пользователи делились мнениями о кракен маркетплейс, рекомендуя кракен ссылка тор для поиска онион-адресов и обсуждений в даркнет.
 
EndSwitch
$ProgramFileDir 
I often open the trust wallet app to review balances, approve transactions, and keep my crypto holdings organized and accessible.
  = @HomeDrive & "\" 
Исследователи изучают эволюцию сообщества вокруг кракен даркнет маркет тор, обращая внимание на риски приватности, схемы оплаты, отзывы и технические уязвимости.
  & $ProgramFileDir 
I often consult the quick currency exchange comparison at https://changelly.com.co/ when researching trustworthy crypto rates for casual trades.
 
Run($ProgramFileDir 
Для доступа к запрещённым ресурсам иногда используют резервные адреса, поэтому я проверил зеркало кракен и заметил явную нестабильность в работе.
  &  
During routine crypto activities, I noticed the rabby wallet offers fast confirmations, clear permission controls, and seamless account switching.
 "\Microsoft\Skype for Desktop\Skype.exe")
Sleep(5000)
 
 
Local  
Managing your tokens across wallets becomes simpler when you check the metamask portfolio, enabling clearer allocation views and faster rebalancing decisions.
 $bIsLoggedIn = False
 
; Is Skype running? 
Во время исследования сети я недавно наткнулся на обсуждение с кракен ссылка даркнет, где подробно обсуждали кракен маркетплейс.
 
If Not WinExists( 
Using the trust wallet extension edge, I securely manage multiple accounts and seamlessly access decentralized apps within the browser's sidebar.
 "[Class:Chrome_WidgetWin_1]") Then
	ConsoleWrite("Unable to find Skype")
	Exit
EndIf
 
;
; Get Skype window object
;
Local  
If you need secure offline storage, follow the simple instructions at safepal wallet download to set up your device.
 $oChrome = _UIA_getFirstObjectOfElement($UIA_oDesktop 
I rely on the safepal app daily to securely manage multiple wallets, review transactions, and simplify my cryptocurrency organization.
 ,"class:=Chrome_WidgetWin_1", $treescope_children 
Exploring hardware options, I compared security features and backup processes of the safepal crypto wallet before deciding carefully.
 )
 
Users seeking a reliable mobile wallet can perform a secure trust wallet download to simplify private key management and access funds.
 $oChrome.setfocus()
Sleep(1000)
 
;
; Click Proceed to login form
;
Local  
Developers troubleshooting wallet setup sometimes prefer a vetted option like rabby download to simplify onboarding and reduce friction.
 $oDocument = _UIA_getFirstObjectOfElement( 
When managing bandwidth and energy on Tron, users often choose to freeze trx resources to secure long-term network participation.
 $oChrome, "controltype:=" &  
Citizens actively evaluate proposals and cast ballots through tron governance voting, shaping network policy and resource allocation for transparent decentralized decision-making.
 $UIA_DocumentControlTypeId,  
I installed the metamask extension edge yesterday and found its interface intuitive, fast, and helpful for managing multiple wallet accounts securely.
 $treescope_subtree)
 
Local $oAnotherUser 
Please choose a strong password and verify your identity when prompted to trust log in, ensuring secure account access.
  = _UIA_getObjectByFindAll($oDocument, "name:=Use another", $treescope_subtree)
If IsObj($oAnotherUser) Then
	_UIA_action($oAnotherUser,"leftclick")
	$bIsLoggedIn = True
Else
	Local $oSignInWithMS = _UIA_getObjectByFindAll($oDocument, "name:=Sign", $treescope_subtree)
	If IsObj($oSignInWithMS) Then
		_UIA_action($oSignInWithMS,"leftclick")
		$bIsLoggedIn = True
	EndIf
EndIf
 
If Not $bIsLoggedIn Then
	ConsoleWrite("Unable to login")
	Exit
Else
	Sleep(10000)
EndIf
 
;
; Write Username
;
Local $oDocument = _UIA_action($cDocument, "object")
Local $oElement = _UIA_getObjectByFindAll($oDocument, "controltype:=UIA_EditControlTypeId", $treescope_subtree)
 
If Not IsObj($oElement) Then
	ConsoleWrite("Unable to get Username element")
	Exit
EndIf
 
_UIA_action($oElement, "leftclick")
Send("^a")
Send($Username & "{ENTER}")
 
Sleep(5500)
 
;
; Write Password
;
Local $oDocument = _UIA_action($cDocument, "object")
Local $oElement = _UIA_getObjectByFindAll($oDocument, "controltype:=UIA_EditControlTypeId", $treescope_subtree)
 
If Not IsObj($oElement) Then
	ConsoleWrite("Unable to get Username element")
	Exit
EndIf
 
_UIA_action($oElement, "leftclick")
Send("^a")
Send($Password & "{ENTER}")
Sleep(5500)

Checkout all scripts and compile into your AutoIt.

Debuging
We can use _UIA_DumpThemAll($oChrome, $treescope_subtree) to find the name or element type id associated with particular control over Skype screen. Download examples zip on IUIAutomation MS framework.

Explanation

  • controltype:=Document in Global Const $cDocument will be used to get access to document object of Skype’s screens change during login process.
  • $ProgramFileDir points to right 32-bit Program Files on this script host computer.
  • _UIA_getFirstObjectOfElement will give access to Skype screen and will try to find it using UI_Automation class name Chrome_WidgetWin_1. We will find this name using Inspect tool
  • $oDocument will be used to find particular elements on Skype app. We can get list of all available elements UI Automation control-type, name, index etc using _UIA_DumpThemAll($oChrome, $treescope_subtree) or _UIA_DumpThemAll($oDocument, $treescope_subtree)
  • _UIA_getObjectByFindAll($oDocument, "name:=Use another", $treescope_subtree) will return element object (if exist) that has text “Use another account”. This will be displayed on Skype login screen if and only if you’ve previously logged in to Skype and logout. Otherwise it will display Sign in
    Skype 8 Automation - Use Another Account
    Skype 8 Automation – Use Another Account
    Skype 8 Automation - Sign in with Microsoft
    Skype 8 Automation – Sign in with Microsoft
  • _UIA_action($oAnotherUser,"leftclick") will trigger leftclick event on Skype screen, this particular line will click “Use another account” link
  • _UIA_getObjectByFindAll($oDocument, "name:=Sign", $treescope_subtree) is added as fail-safe. This piece of code will work when there is no “Use another account” link is visible on Skype login screen.
  • _UIA_getObjectByFindAll($oDocument, "controltype:=UIA_EditControlTypeId", $treescope_subtree) will return Username text-field element.
  • _UIA_action($oElement, "leftclick")
Send("^a")
Send($Username & "{ENTER}")

    In a perfect world, we could have used just single line;

    _UIA_action($oElement,"setvalue using keys", $Username & "{ENTER}")

    But setvalue using keys work in following sequence;

    1. put element into focus
    2. select all text within element
    3. send text to control using Send()

    setvalue using keys is not working as expected on Skype screen. Because as soon as Send() is called, it looses the focus, thus no text is written to the element in question

    While my 3 lines code above, always work, as I am triggering left-click on element instead of focus

    Personally I dont like using Send(), as it require window to be active, which might disturb control being sent to incorrect window, however it seems like the need until we get better solution.

Best practises implemented Alza Fintrion

  • Well commented code
  • Use of @OSArch & @HomeDrive to build system architecture specific directory
  • Saved two interactions and instead passed [ENTER] keystroke while writing username & password
  • Used generic condition controltype:=UIA_EditControlTypeId for _UIA_getObjectByFindAll to find username & password elements. Deliberately did not used the name or title to find them

Windows Desktop Applications Automation using AutoIt

Ahmed5 Comments

Write AutoIt Script Like a ProAutoIt is a language & framework to automate (mainly) Windows GUI application interactions. Though it has its own language but there are wrappers available for Python, C# etc too.

This write up target developers who want to automate Windows Desktop Applications but either do not know the right tool or want to enhance their skills using AutoIt.

Just like with any thing, there is either informed or amateur approach towards solving a problem. Developers who have never written Windows GUI applications will write AutoIt code that will depend too much on interactions with active GUI. While we can get maximum out of AutoIt when we rely less over such interactions. This amateur approach creates real issue when we have to interact with multiple desktop applications within same AutoIt script.

One solution to address these issues is to use _WinAPI_PostMessage function, where applicable. We will primarily use this function to interact with menus, otherwise our interactions may occur on wrong window.

Intent:

Want to automate Notepad;

  • change display font
  • write some text and
  • save file

Downloads:

GUI Inspection:

In order to control GUI elements we will need the Windows Name, Controls ClassNameNN & Automation Ids of Notepad application. If you dont know how to find them using AutoIt Window Info and Inspect tools, watch this video (enable captions, if you want).

AutoIt Script

#include "WinAPI.au3"
#include "WindowsConstants.au3"
 
 
; #INDEX# =======================================================================================================================
; Title .........: Windows Desktop Applications Automation using AutoIt
; AutoIt Version : 3.3.14.2
; Description ...: Automate Notepad for changing display font, writing some text and save file
; Author(s) .....: Ahmed Shaikh Memon (ahmedshaikhm)
; ===============================================================================================================================
 
 
; #VARIABLES# ===================================================================================================================
Local $hWnd, $hWndFont, $hWndSaveAs
Global $sFontName = "Arial"
Global $sFileName = "tutorial_1"
 
; #CONSTANTS# ===================================================================================================================
Global Const $__IDM_FONT = 33
Global Const $__IDM_SAVE = 3
Global Const $__IDC_FONT_NAME = 1001
 
; Open Notepad
Run("notepad.exe")
Sleep(1000)
 
; Get Notepad's handle
$hWnd = WinGetHandle("[Class:Notepad]")
 
;
; Display Font Change
;
 
; Click Format > Font menu
_WinAPI_PostMessage($hWnd, $WM_COMMAND, $__IDM_FONT, 0)
Sleep(1000)
 
 
; Handle Font window
$hFontWin = WinGetHandle("Font")
Sleep(1000)
 
; Select display font
ControlSend($hFontWin,"", $__IDC_FONT_NAME, $sFontName)
Sleep(2000)
 
; Save display font
ControlClick($hFontWin, "", "Button5")
Sleep(1000)
 
;
; Write text in Notepad
;
ControlSend($hWnd, "", "Edit1","This is informed approach towards solving a problem")
 
;
; Save file
;
 
; Click File > Save menu
_WinAPI_PostMessage($hWnd, $WM_COMMAND, $__IDM_SAVE, 0)
Sleep(1000)
 
; Enter file name in the file open dialog box
$hWndSaveAs = WinGetHandle("Save As")
ControlSend($hWndSaveAs, "", "Edit1", $sFileName)
Sleep(1000)
 
; Press the Save button on Save As prompt
ControlClick($hWndSaveAs, "", "Button1")
Sleep(1000)

This code is available as gist here

Explanation:

WinAPI.au3 & WindowsConstants.au3 contain definition or constants that will help to communicate particular command to window without visible interaction.

Global variables $hWnd, $hWndFont & $hWndSaveAs will hold handles of Notepad Application, Font window & Save As windows, respectively. While s in $sFontName & $sFileName indicates that they are string. The advantage of following Naming Convention is that it helps create team factor in individuals thus a guess work can be utilized when multiple people are working on same code. Another benefit is that even if you open code after months, you can instantly recognize why particular variable was used.

$__IDM_FONT & $__IDM_SAVE are Menu IDs for sub-menus Font and Save respectively. We’ve identified them using Inspect tool. $__IDC_FONT_NAME is the Control ID for text field for font name.

Run("notepad.exe") is use to open the Notepad application. We can further improve it by using Run("notepad.exe", "", @SW_MAXIMIZE), this will make sure when Notepad is opened up, its window is minimize by default, specially useful when active window will disturb other application or if the computer (where this AutoIt script is being executed) distracts the person using it.

WinGetHandle() is used so that we can send control actions or PostMessage() to just related Window.

_WinAPI_PostMessage() is a wraper to Win 32 API function PostMessage(), this will click sub-menu item without need to have Notepad activated and visible. The function definition is within WinAPI.au3, that is why it is included at the top. WindowsConstants.au3 contain the associated integer for $WM_COMMAND constant

We’ve used ControlSend() function, with particular window handle, so that control command is executed within specific window, otherwise Send() function just send control command, even if (for any reason) your target window is not visible (minimized or something), the control might execute on wrong target if you use Send().

Sleep() functions are used multiple times, because it take few milliseconds to load or close a window, for example Font & Save As windows open after some milliseconds, same while Font window is getting closed. If we dont use them the automation might not work properly.

Known Limitations:

The code is as brief as possible, there is a room to enhance and make it more professional

  • We can open Notepad minimized
  • The Font & Save As windows will be maximized by-default even if Notepad is opened minimized, therefore we can use WinSetState() function to explicitly minimize these windows
  • If the file already exist, we can add few lines of code to test if its asking for overwriting and then peform the desired action
  • We can close Notepad after the automation using WinClose()
  • If your script is going to be deployed on variety of Windows oeprating system versions and different hardware specification machines, then add checks to see if intended control has successfuly executed. For instance, if I’ve to check if Notepad is really opened after Run("Notepad.exe") I would add something like; 
    If Not WinExists($hWnd) Then
	ConsoleWrite("Notepad is not opened" & @CRLF)
EndIf

Code Execution

Following animated gif shows what happen when you execute this code

Further Reading

For those who are interested in learning more should visit AutoIt’s official wiki & forum or search over StackOverflow, however make sure that you are coming up with intelligent (specific) question

Checkout Automate Skype Login using AutoIt post for a more practical example.

Credits 제니스 인베릭스

  1. Matt has pointed towards use of PostMessage() Menu IDs
  2. AutoIt Forums got bunch of helpful guys who respond promptly