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How to run application as Windows Service?

What is a Windows Service – An Introduction?

A Windows service is an executable program that the operating system runs in the background. It does not require a logged-in user session to run. In Windows, the Service Control Manager (SCM) manages all Windows service programs. The SCM is a special system process that starts when the computer boots up and is responsible for starting, stopping and pausing services.

 

Why would you want to run your application as a Windows Service?

The primary advantage of running your program as a Windows service is that you can have the program start when the computer boots up and prior to any user logging in.  This is important with programs that provide important functionality you want to be available when you're away from your computer. Windows Services can start without user intervention and may continue to run after the user has logged off.

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Next steps – How to run application as Windows Service?

FireDaemon Pro allows you to create and run any application program or script as a Windows service. This includes any program that is not designed to run as a native Windows service. FireDaemon Pro will monitor and restart your program if it crashes, hangs or is shut down. FireDaemon Pro starts your program at system boot, via the SCM, without the need for any user to log on.

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Dashboard
Create Windows Service
Create Advanced Service

Step 1. Install FireDaemon Pro to run your app as a Windows service

Once installed, from the main window you will see the following views:

  1. FireDaemon Services: Services controlled by FireDaemon Pro

  2. Windows System Services: Services that are not controlled by FireDaemon Pro

  3. System Information: View the system information of the system on which FireDaemon Pro is running.

  4. For more information, see System Information.

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Refer to the User Guide for this section

Dashboard

Install FireDaemon Pro to run your app as a Windows service

Step 2. Create a Windows service (add an application)

  1. In the FireDaemon Services Tab click the + icon

  2. Enter a Short Name, Display name, Program and Working Directory

  3. Click the checkmark icon

 

*This will set up a basic FireDaemon service, there are many more options you can use! See the manual for more information.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Create a Windows service (add an application)

Step 3. Create an advanced Windows service via the Settings Tab

Provides various options that control the service's runtime profile. Process specific actions such as starting the process as a specific user or on a specific core.

 

Refer here for a detailed setup

Settings Tab

Create an advanced Windows service via the Settings Tab

Step 4. How service termination actions work via the Lifecycle Tab

Provides granular restart control if the program terminates intentionally or unexpectedly. Allows you to stop the service when the process ends, shut down after a delay, gracefully or force close the process.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Lifecycle Tab

How service termination actions work via the Lifecycle Tab

Step 5. What is Windows service event logging

Service logging is used to configure a variety of logging mechanisms. It is useful for troubleshooting purposes for when a service is not behaving properly.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Logging Tab

What is Windows service event logging

Step 6. What happens when your services rely on other services

This feature provides the ability for services to be started and stopped in sequence. All the services and load order groups listed on this tab must be running before this service can run.

 

Service can have multiple dependencies, in which case all dependencies must be running in order for Service A to run.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Dependencies Tab

What happens when your services rely on other services

Step 7. Define path variables

You can define environment variables that are passed into the service when it starts. This is particularly useful for Java and other applications that rely on a custom environment. Note: The order in which environment variables are listed is significant. FireDaemo Pro evaluates these variables in top-down order. For more information about environment variables, see Environment Variables.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Environment Tab

Define path variables

Step 8. Actions you want to happen before or after a service

Set a process to execute before your service starts or another process to execute after your service stops.

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Launch / Termination Event

When you click the Insert or Append or Edit button, the Event Information dialog box appears for the Launch Event program and Termination Event program.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Events Tab

Actions you want to happen before or after a service
Launch Event
Terminate Event

Step 9. How program restart actions work via the Scheduling Tab

Provides options to schedule one or more times for the program to be run or restarted. This is useful when your process has a memory leak or locks up your computer after a few hours of running.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Refer here for advanced setting options

Scheduling Tab

How program restart actions work
Import and Export
Schedule program to run certain time of day week year

Step 10. Windows that can prevent proper initialization of your service

Some processes show a dialog box before the process works properly. From here you can configure those dialog boxes to close. You can log the contents of a dialog box, suppress a dialog box or send a response to the dialog box based upon its contents.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Dialogs Tab

Windows that can prevent proper initialization of your servicews that can prevent proper initialization of your service - Dialogs Tab

Step 11. Set how computer responds to service failure via the Recovery Tab

Define the actions that are taken by the Windows Service Control Manager if the entire service fails (e.g. firedaemon.exe fails). Normally, you would not need to configure Service Recovery as FireDaemon Pro would restart your program based on the options you have set in the Lifecycle tab.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Recovery Tab

Set how computer responds to service failureer responses to service failure - Recovery Tab

Step 12. Re-brand using your corporate theme

Theming (skinning) of FireDaemon Pro and Pro OEM allows you to:

  • Replace the splash screen

  • Replace all button icons

  • Change the product name

  • Supply an alternate help file or disable help entirely

  • Rename the product EXEs

  • Replace the application icons.

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Refer here for a detailed setup

Rebrand and Theme

How to re-brand using your corporate theme

Step 13. Licensing and registration

Registering FireDaemon Pro is easy, just open the program and click on 3rd vertical icon with the “i” in it. Click on “Buy Now” to buy a license or “License” to enter your license information!

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Refer here for detailed instructions

How to license FireDaemon

Buy & License

How does the program / software registration work

View all Topics

Granular Restart Control
Event Logging
Service Dependencies
Define Path Variables
Pre/Post Service Setup
Service Sheduling
Dialog Box Setting
Service Failure & Recovery
Rebrand & Theme
Licensing

Looking for a specific
Application Setup Guide?

If it works with FireDaemon Pro then we most likely have written a guide to show you how to run your application program in the background as a Windows Service. We have written over 220 guides - find your application set up here.

If you don't see your application here, let us know and we can get you up and running asap.

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