Install windows service without InstallUtil.exe

Question

I\'m trying to deploy a windows service but not quite sure how to do it right. I built it as a console app to start with, I\'ve now turned it into a windows service project

Answer 1

I know it is a very old question, but better update it with new information.

You can install service by using sc command:

InstallService.bat:

@echo OFF
echo Stopping old service version...
net stop "[YOUR SERVICE NAME]"
echo Uninstalling old service version...
sc delete "[YOUR SERVICE NAME]"

echo Installing service...
rem DO NOT remove the space after "binpath="!
sc create "[YOUR SERVICE NAME]" binpath= "[PATH_TO_YOUR_SERVICE_EXE]" start= auto
echo Starting server complete
pause

With SC, you can do a lot more things as well: uninstalling the old service (if you already installed it before), checking if service with same name exists... even set your service to autostart.

One of many references: creating a service with sc.exe; how to pass in context parameters

I have done by both this way & InstallUtil. Personally I feel that using SC is cleaner and better for your health.