Run batch file as a Windows service

Windows Problem Overview

In order to run one application, a batch file has to be kicked off (which does things like start Jetty, display live logs, etc). The application will work only if this batch file is running. I am hence forced to have this batch file running and not logout from the Windows server.

Can this batch file be run as a service? I am experimenting with one of the suggestions from a similar question.

Windows Solutions

Solution 1 - Windows

NSSM is totally free and hyper-easy, running command prompt / terminal as administrator:

nssm install "YourCoolServiceNameLabel"

then a dialog will appear so you can choose where is the file you want to run.

to uninstall

nssm remove "YourCoolServiceNameLabel"

Solution 2 - Windows

Why not simply set it up as a Scheduled Task that is scheduled to run at start up?

Solution 3 - Windows

There's a built in windows cmd to do this: sc create. Not as fancy as nssm, but you don't have to download an additional piece of software.

sc create "ServiceName" start= demand displayname= "DisplayName" binpath= [path to .bat file]

Note

start=demand means you must start the service yourself
whitespace is required after =
I did encounter an error on service start that the service did not respond in a timely manner, but it was clear the service had run the .bat successfully. Haven't dug into this yet but this thread experienced the same thing and solved it using nssm to install the service.

Solution 4 - Windows

On Windows 2019 Server, you can run a Minecraft java server with these commands:

sc create minecraft-server DisplayName= "minecraft-server" binpath= "cmd.exe /C C:\Users\Administrator\Desktop\rungui1151.lnk" type= own start= auto

The .lnk file is a standard windows shortcut to a batch file.

--- .bat file begins ---

java -Xmx40960M -Xms40960M -d64 -jar minecraft_server.1.15.1.jar

--- .bat file ends ---

All this because:

service does not know how to start in a folder,

cmd.exe does not know how to start in a folder

Starting the service will produce "timely manner" error, but the log file reveals the server is running.

If you need to shut down the server, just go into task manager and find the server java in background processes and end it, or terminate the server from in the game using the /stop command, or for other programs/servers, use the methods relevant to the server.

Solution 5 - Windows

No need for extra software. Use the task scheduler -> create task -> hidden. The checkbox for hidden is in the bottom left corner. Set the task to trigger on login (or whatever condition you like) and choose the task in the actions tab. Running it hidden ensures that the task runs silently in the background like a service.

Note that you must also set the program to run "whether the user is logged in or not" or the program will still run in the foreground.

Solution 6 - Windows

As Doug Currie says use RunAsService.

From my past experience you must remember that the Service you generate will

have a completely different set of environment variables
have to be carefully inspected for rights/permissions issues
might cause havoc if it opens dialogs asking for any kind of input

not sure if the last one still applies ... it was one big night mare in a project I worked on some time ago.

Solution 7 - Windows

While it is not free (but $39), FireDaemon has worked so well for me I have to recommend it. It will run your batch file but has loads of additional and very useful functionality such as scheduling, service up monitoring, GUI or XML based install of services, dependencies, environmental variables and log management.

I started out using FireDaemon to launch JBoss application servers (run.bat) but shortly after realized that the richness of the FireDaemon configuration abilities allowed me to ditch the batch file and recreate the intent of its commands in the FireDaemon service definition.

There's also a SUPER FireDaemon called Trinity which you might want to look at if you have a large number of Windows servers on which to manage this service (or technically, any service).

Solution 8 - Windows

Since NSSM is no longer maintained, you can consider using WinSW. It has binaries that would work with or without .Net.

Basically you create an XML file and then install it. Here is a sample of a minimal XML:

<service>

  <!-- ID of the service. It should be unique across the Windows system-->
  <id>myapp</id>

  <!-- Path to the executable, which should be started -->
  <!-- CAUTION: Don't put arguments here. Use <arguments> instead. -->
  <executable>%BASE%\myExecutable.exe</executable>

</service>

And then you can install and start it:

winsw install myapp.xml
winsw start myapp.xml

Solution 9 - Windows

Install NSSM and run the .bat file as a windows service. Works as expected

Content Type	Original Author	Original Content on Stackoverflow
Question	publicRavi	View Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - Windows	Junior Mayhé	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - Windows	Stephen Martin	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - Windows	w00ngy	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - Windows	Goofyseeker311	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 5 - Windows	Zediiiii	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 6 - Windows	lexu	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 7 - Windows	Nicholas	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 8 - Windows	kaptan	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 9 - Windows	kumar	View Answer on Stackoverflow