What is the Universal Web Connector in Login Enterprise? Here’s Why It Matters

April 4, 2025

Let’s be honest: Testing web apps in complex, hybrid environments can feel like solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. Between custom portals, third-party Identity Providers (IdPs), and a tangle of authentication methods, automating real-user testing can get… messy.

That’s why the Universal Web Connector (UWC) might just become your new favorite feature in Login Enterprise. It’s flexible, powerful, and able to handle the chaos.

What Is the Universal Web Connector?

The Universal Web Connector (UWC) is your key to seamlessly launching desktops or app instances. Our Login Executable takes over and automates workflows within the session. Regardless of whether the platform or Identity Provider (IdP) is standing in the way, UWC clears the path from the Launcher to the target environment.

How? It operates through a dedicated browser that runs a set of custom scripts. It can even call the Login Engine, the same powerful tool used to automate app workflows and tests, to execute native Windows applications and PowerShell scripts. Pretty impressive, right?

According to the documentation, all scripts are securely stored on the Launcher alongside the UWC installation. Configuration is straightforward: simply set up the Launcher to use a Custom Connector, point it to UWC, and pass the necessary parameters securely… 

Key Features and Benefits

Flexibility across platforms: The UWC is an independent process, accessible via Login Enterprise’s Custom Connector functionality. It is self-contained, bundling all necessary runtimes, frameworks, and the Login Enterprise engine within the connector itself. This design allows it to interact with various IdPs and custom portals, ensuring consistent automation across different environments. ​

Customizable scripting: Connection scripts are executed by the UWC to automate actions related to accessing, selecting, and launching virtualized resources. These scripts are primarily written in JavaScript, with the capability to execute C# Engine scripts and PowerShell commands, providing the flexibility to handle diverse authentication workflows. ​

Efficient resource management: Launchers running the UWC can facilitate concurrent user sessions, similar to standard built-in connectors. This capability ensures the efficient use of resources while preventing conflicts arising from simultaneous interactions. ​

Robust error handling: By default, the UWC has a timeout period of 5 minutes, which is adjustable using the timeout argument. In the event of a timeout, crash, or exception, UWC performs automatic cleanup, ensuring no leftover artifacts or lingering child processes remain. ​

Implementing the UWC in Your Environment

To integrate the UWC into your Login Enterprise setup, follow these steps:​

• Download and install: Download the UWC installer via the Login Enterprise UI under Configuration > Launchers, then install it on your launcher machine.. ​
• Configure connection scripts: Store your JavaScript-based connection scripts in a designated folder, typically C:\ProgramData\LoginVSI\UWC\Scripts. Organize each set of scripts into subfolders corresponding to specific workflows or authentication methods. ​
• Set up custom connector: In the Login Enterprise interface, navigate to Configuration > Manage Tests and create a new test. Select ‘Custom Connector’ and specify the path to the UWC executable and necessary arguments such as URL, script path, and authentication credentials. ​
• Test and validate: Before deploying, conduct tests to ensure the UWC interacts correctly with your IdP and portal configurations, automating the login and resource launch processes.​

Why This Matters 

As more organizations shift toward cloud-hosted apps, hybrid access, and modern authentication, it is more important than ever to test like a real user. The Universal Web Connector bridges the gap between complexity and control, giving you the power to simulate real-world scenarios in a clean, manageable way.

Want to learn more about the Universal Web Connector? Connect with us today!