
When you would like to start a program, users always copy the file or link the shortcut of file to the autorun directory.
In Windows, the autorun directory is located at Start Menu > All Programs > Startup
However, different users have different settings, so if another user login the Windows System, he/she will not trigger the same startup file.
Windows Systems perform some background tasks when they are booted.
Some of these tasks start before users logging in, we called them Windows Service
We can write our own Windows Service, for example auto logout when time is out.
(This service always performs in public computer like public library, but I unrecognized it must a Windows Service)
In generally, you should install the Visual Studio before.
Click File > New > Project to open a new project
Expand Visual C# (you can use other language, but this time we use C#)
And select Windows Service Visual C#
Then set the project name to Name field and click OK to start the project
Visual Studio displays like this
If the Service1.cs [Design] disappeared, double click the Service1.cs in the Solution Explorer
Click click here to switch to code view on the Service1.cs
Then change to code view of Service1.cs
There are two blanked method generated automatically by Visual Studio
protected override void OnStart(string[] args)
This method will run when this service is started
protected override void OnStop()
The method will run then this service is stopped
You also can override more methods, you can find them in MSDN
These statements are presenting a test run only, you can change them to your aim or needed
However, you cannot use any GUI libraries in Windows Service
Back to the Service1.cs [Design]
Right click any blank area in the design form then click Add Installer
Create a ProjectInstaller.cs [Design]
Click the serviceInstaller1 then right click it and click Properties (If you expand the properties window, you don’t need to to it)
Modify ServiceName And StartType for your service (I suggest you don’t use special character including <space>)
Automatic means when you booted the system, the service will start automaticlly
Manual means you should start the service manually
Disabled means you should enable the service before you would to start it
Click the serviceProcessInstaller1 then right click it and click Properties (If you expand the properties window, you don’t need to to it)
Modify account to LocalSystem
Right click your service project and click Properties
On the properties dialog, change Startup object to your service program
Right click your solution Add > New Project
Expand Other Object Type > Setup and Development, click Setup Project
And name the setup project in Name field
Then click OK
Right click your setup project Add > Project Output
Select your service project in Project and select Primary
And (Active) in Configure
Then click OK
Right click your setup project View > Custom Actions
In Custom Actions form, right click Custom Actions and click Add Custom Action
Double click the Application Folder
Select Project Output from <your service project> (Active) then click OK
After you finished the actions before, the form presents like this
Right click your service project and click build
If you have built the service, you should click rebuild
Right click your setup project and click build
If you have built the setup, you should click rebuild
Access to the setup project directory the setup.exe file is located at debug
directory
If you are using Windows VISTA, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, you are able to use administrator permission to allow the installation process
If you are using Windows VISTA, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, you are able to use administrator permission to allow the installation process
net start "<your service name>"
to start your service
You also can start your service in Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services
The result represent the action when started this service
net stop "<your service name>"
to start your service
You also can stop your service in Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services
The result represent the action when stopped this service
Goto Control Panel > Uninstall a Program
Click Uninstall at the center to begin the uninstall wizard
If you are using Windows VISTA, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, you are able to use administrator permission to allow the uninstallation process