Click: How to Install Windows Services

This updated guide examines Click: How to Install Windows Services and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 2:

Using the Visual Studio Prompt

1. Open the Startmenu and selectVisual Studio version . The version number will vary. This opens a list of all Visual Studio tools.
2. ClickDeveloper Command Prompt for VS version . This opens the Visual Studio command prompt.
3. Navigate to the directory where your service is compiled. You can use thecdcommand to change directories. If there are spaces in the path to the directory, you'll need to surround the entire path with quote marks. Example:
   • cd "C:Program FilesMicrosoft Visual Studio 10.0binDebug".^[1]
4. Typeinstallutil servicename .exeand press↵Enter. Replace servicename with the name of your service file. This installs the service on your PC.
   • To check that your service is running, pressingCtrl+Alt+Del, click Task Manager , and then click the Services tab. If you don't see a Services tab, click More details at the bottom-left corner and it should appear.
   • If you get an error that Visual Studio cannot find instantly, it might be because your paths are not set correctly. You may need to enter the full path to the installutil to run it. It's usually something likeC:WINDOWSMicrosoft. NETFramework64v(version number)InstallUtil.exe.^[2]
   • To uninstall the service, useinstallutil /u servicename .exe.

Method 2of 2:

Using the Windows Command Prompt

1. Right-click the Startmenu. It's usually at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
2. ClickCommand Prompt (Admin)orWindows PowerShell (Admin). One of these two options should be near the center of the menu. This opens an admin-level command prompt.
   • You may have to click Yes to confirm.
   • Make sure you know the full path to the service you want to install before you continue.
3. Typesc.exe create NameOfService binpath= " fullpathtoservice.exe ". Replace NameofService with the name you want to give the service, and fullpathtoservice.exe with the full path to the executable.
   • There is a space betweenbinpath=and" fullpathtoservice.exe ".
   • If you need to pass any options/arguments when running the executable, addoptionname=" value "to the end, replacing value with what's necessary.
4. Press↵Enterto install the service. To check that your service is running, pressingCtrl+Alt+Del, click Task Manager , and then click the Services tab. If you don't see a Services tab, click More details at the bottom-left corner and it should appear.