Some time ago I developed a small tool that allowed you to turn regular old console applications as a service. It’s been download many times but there is no forum to discuss the issues. That’s why I’m creating this blog post now on the suggestion of one of the users. (Thanks Richard)

Below is a link and description of the tool:

http://runasservice.com/

RunAsService is a command line tool that allows you to setup a regular console application to run as a service. Below you will find descriptions and examples of how to do this.

IMPORTANT: Any services you install using this tool will

require that this tool remain on that computer in the same location in order for those services to continue functioning. Therefore before installing any services you should make sure this tool is somewhere where it can remain permanently. If you do end up moving this tool use the 'fixservices' action to fix the existing services. 

(details on how to use 'fixservices' can be found below)

RunAsService
    Typing just the name of the tool without specifying any parameters.
    Or specifying incorrect paramters will bring you to the help screen.

RunAsService install [Name] [Display Name] PathToExecutable
    Name
        The name of the service, if none is specified the name 
        will default to the name of the executable.

        You might choose to give it a different name than 
        the executable to keep some kind of existing convention, 
        make it friendlier or make it easier to use commands like 
        'net start' and 'net stop'

    Display Name
        This is how the service name will be displayed in the windows
        services list. If no display name is specified it will default
        to Name, if Name is not specified, it will default to the name
        of the executable.

        Generally the display name is longer and more descriptive
        than the name and gives the user a better idea of what
        the service is and/or does.

    PathToExecutable
        The location of the application you want to run as a service.

        Note, the tool will check if this executable exists, if it
        doesn't find it will not install it.

RunAsService uninstall Name
    Name
        The name of the service you would like to uninstall.

RunAsService fixservices
        Use this action when you've moved the RunAsService executable.
        Services installed using RunAsService require that RunAsService
        remain on the computer and at the same location if
        you move it the services will stop working, use this
        action to fix that.

EXAMPLES

RunAsService install "c:\my apps\Myapp.exe"
        Installs Myapp as a service called "Myapp"

RunAsService install "My Service" "c:\my apps\Myapp.exe"
        Installs Myapp as a service called "My Service"

RunAsService install "My Service" "My Super Cool Service" "c:\my apps\Myapp.exe"
        Installs Myapp as a service internally called "My Service"
        when using commands like 'net start' and 'net stop' and shows
        up as "My Super Cool Service" in Window's services list.

RunAsService uninstall "My Service"
        Uninstalls the service.

RunAsService fixservices
        Use this action if you move this tool. This is because services
        installed using this tool rely on this tool remaining on that 
        computer and at the same location. If you do not call 'fixservices'
        after moving this tool the existing services installed using this
        tool will stop functioning.

NOTES

You can use Windows built in commands to start and stop your
services. For example you can use:
    net start "My Service"
and
    net stop "My Service"

Where "My Service" would be replaced with the name of your service.

CREDITS

This tool was created by Luis Perez on April 2011. For more 
information or to contact me visit RunAsService.com. 

Thank you.