How to install application as windows service using NSIS script

Question

How to install application as windows service using NSIS script?

I used this command in the script Exec '"sc.exe" but after installation i couldn't find any service in windows services related to it so help me thanks.

Hines

Could you post an excerpt of the failing script to show how the parameters of the Exec statement? Do you have any warning in the makensis output? – Anallese

ExecWait '"C:\Windows\System32\sc.EXE" "Test Service"' Exec $PROGRAMFILES\Example1\xxxx.EXE – Hines

Do not confound the service name and the display name: Test Service as service name is not correct due to the space – Anallese

Please post the exact syntax you use in your sc command. To register a service, you need sc create ..., sc service name is not a working command – Anallese

i cant(dono)able to update my script its saying error seki. you understood my problem rite?? you can send me example script it will help me i hope thanks – Hines

You seem to have a problem for configuring a new service. For now, I am unsure if you have a problem inside your NSIS script, or with the sc command that you use. Try the sc command with correct parameters directly in a command prompt. Does it configure the service, or do you have an error message (if so, what message)? – Anallese

Answer 1

Maybe that the NSIS Simple Service plugin can help you. The syntax is as simple as

SimpleSC::InstallService "MyService" "My Service Display Name" "16" "2" "C:\MyPath\MyService.exe" "" "" ""
Pop $0 ; returns an errorcode (<>0) otherwise success (0)

Here the example install the service as ServiceType own process + StartType automatic + NoDependencies + Logon as System Account. Please refer to the accompanying help for the meaning of the magic numbers.

The wiki shows the 5 other methods to handle services with NSIS.

Anallese

i cant get it Seki... after the installation my service should be in the windows service. i can able to stop or start by using that entry please help me clearly thanks... what does it means "C:\MyPath\MyService.exe" – Hines

I have added the SimpleSC.dll into the NSIS folder and to which place i want to add this code in my script ???SimpleSC::InstallService "MyService" "My Service Display Name" "16" "2" "C:\MyPath\MyService.exe" "" "" "" Pop $0 ; returns an errorcode (<>0) otherwise success (0) – Hines

@SujeethDamodharan Be aware that there's a function to look up error codes for you. You also need to make sure the user ahs the "Log on as a service" right - which is another function. Read the documentation for example of both – Cispadane

I trying with this example , and i have probleme Plugin not found, cannot call SimpleSC::StartService,sorry i dont very googd in english – Pablopabon

Note: The SImple Service plugin does not work with Unicode NSIS – Zworykin

Answer 2

There are multiple plugins out there as stated on NSIS website

For me it seemed to be unnecessary complicated, so I ended up using sc tool directly. A command is quite simple:

!define appName "theApp.exe"
!define displayName "My Awesome Service"
!define serviceName "MyAwesomeService"

ExecWait 'sc create ${serviceName} error= "severe" displayname= "${displayName}" type= "own" start= "auto" binpath= "$INSTDIR\${appName}"'

A full list of sc create arguments available here

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Answer 3

Below is the scripts which first stops service, uninstalls previous version, remove form registry and then installs fresh copy.

Section "Mobile Interface" 

  SimpleSC::StopService "MobileInterface" "1" "60"
  SimpleSC::RemoveService "MobileInterface"
  DeleteRegKey /ifempty HKLM "MobileInterface"
  RMDIR /r "$INSTDIR\MobileInterface\"

  SetOutPath "$INSTDIR\MobileInterface"
   # define what to install and place it in the output path
 File "D:\NCS.Sentinel\NCS.Sentinel.MobileWebSvc\bin\Release\"

 SimpleSC::InstallService "MobileInterface" "MobileInterface" "16" "2" "$INSTDIR\MobileInterface\NCS.Sentinel.MobileWebSvc.exe" "" "" ""
 Pop $0 ; returns an errorcode (<>0) otherwise success (0)
 SimpleSC::StartService "MobileInterface" "" "100"

#WriteRegStr HKLM "D:\NCS.Sentinel\NCS.Sentinel.MobileWebSvc\bin\Release\NCS.Sentinel.MobileWebSvc.exe" 

  WriteUninstaller "$INSTDIR\Uninstall.exe"

  ; Store installation folder
  ;WriteRegStr HKCU "Software\Mobile Interface" "" $INSTDIR



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