How does a Windows service differ from a standard exe?

Question

What\'s the difference between a Windows service and a standard exe?

Answer 1

A windows service always runs once the computer starts up (as long as it's so configured). A standard EXE only runs when a user is logged in, and will stop if the user logs out.

You would use a windows service for things that always need to run even if nobody is logged in.

You would use a standard EXE for programs that a user will run while logged in.