Detect if code is running as a service

Question

Is there a way for an .NET library to detect whether or not it is being run as a service?

My library can be run either way. But when its run as a service, developer

Answer 1

The answer by 0xA3 to this question actually contains C# code to query the SCM, much like Rob Parker describes in his answer.

Answer 2

You can add the Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting.WindowsServices NuGet package and use the WindowsServiceHelpers.IsWindowsService() helper method.

For Linux you can use Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting.Systemd and the SystemdHelpers.IsSystemdService() method.

Answer 3

You should probably check that you are running in session zero (at least if you are targeting Vista). You can use WTSRegisterSessionNotification, like in this sample:

  [DllImport("kernel32.dll")]
  private static extern int WTSGetActiveConsoleSessionId();