Windows Service Utils

Wrap any executable, script, or command as a Windows Service—no code changes required.

Features

• Run executables, batch scripts, PowerShell, Python, Node.js, or any CLI as a Windows Service
• Full lifecycle management: install, start, stop, restart, uninstall
• Environment variables, working directory, dependencies, logging, custom service accounts
• Automatic script interpreter detection (.bat, .cmd, .ps1, .py, .js)

Quick Start

Important

Requires administrator privileges.

wsu add MyApp --command "C:\Apps\myapp.exe" --start-type auto
wsu start MyApp

Installation

Requirements: Windows 7+, .NET Framework 4.7.2+

Download wsu.exe from Releases and place it in your PATH, or build from source:

git clone https://github.com/truemogician/Windows-Service-Utils.git
cd Windows-Service-Utils
dotnet build -c Release

Usage

Add a Service

wsu add <name> --command <command> [options]

Examples:

# Basic
wsu add WebServer --command "C:\Server\web.exe" --start-type auto

# With environment and logging
wsu add ApiService --command "node server.js" --working-directory "C:\Apps" ^
  --env "NODE_ENV=production" --stdout-log "C:\Logs\api.log" --start-type auto

# With dependencies
wsu add MyApp --command "C:\Apps\app.exe" --depend "MSSQLSERVER" --start-type delayed-auto

Options

Option	Description
-c, --command	Command line to execute (required)
-d, --display	Display name in services.msc
--description	Service description
-w, --working	Working directory
--start-type	auto, manual, disabled, delayed-auto (default: manual)
--depend	Comma-separated service dependencies
--username	Service account (default: LocalSystem)
--password	Service account password
--env	Environment variable KEY=VALUE (repeatable)
--stdout-log	Stdout log file path
--stderr-log	Stderr log file path

Manage Services

wsu start <name>
wsu stop <name>
wsu restart <name>
wsu remove <name>    # Stops, uninstalls, deletes config

Script Interpreters

Auto-detects scripts by extension (.bat, .cmd, .ps1, .py, .js).

wsu interpreter list                                    # Show mappings
wsu interpreter set .rb --exec "ruby.exe"               # Add custom
wsu interpreter remove .rb                               # Remove custom

Configuration

Configurations are stored in %ProgramData%\WindowsServiceUtils\configs\<name>.json:

{
  "name": "MyService",
  "commandLine": "C:\\Apps\\app.exe",
  "workingDirectory": "C:\\Apps",
  "startType": "auto",
  "environmentVariables": {
    "APP_ENV": "production"
  },
  "stdoutLogFile": "C:\\Logs\\app.log"
}

Troubleshooting

Service won't start: Check Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc → Windows Logs → Application). Common issues: wsu.exe moved, wrong command path, missing dependencies, permission issues.

Process doesn't stop cleanly: Ensure your app handles Ctrl+C / SIGINT and completes shutdown within 30 seconds.

Script doesn't run: Verify interpreter with wsu interpreter list. Test manually first.

Permission errors: Services run as LocalSystem by default. Use --username for network access or specific permissions.

Examples

# Python Flask app
wsu add FlaskApp --command "C:\Apps\flask\app.py" ^
  --env "FLASK_ENV=production" --stdout-log "C:\Logs\flask.log" --start-type auto

# Node.js server
wsu add NodeAPI --command "node server.js" --working-directory "C:\Apps\api" ^
  --env "NODE_ENV=production" --env "PORT=3000" --start-type delayed-auto

# Service with SQL dependency
wsu add DataService --command "C:\Apps\app.exe" --depend "MSSQLSERVER" --start-type auto