Start a Windows Service after Installation

Recently I had to deal with this problem: How to start (automatically) a windows service after installing it?

It took me a while to find the answer, so I decided to post this to make it easier for anyone in the same situation.

First, How do I install a windows service? Piece of cake, you have several options: write a script, programatically, using a deployment project.  I personally like the last option.  This is a step by step guide of how to create setup project for you windows service.

Next step, go to the code view of the Project Installer class and in constructor add a new handler like this:

this.AfterInstall += new InstallEventHandler(ProjectInstaller_AfterInstall);

Now add this function:

private void ProjectInstaller_AfterInstall(object sender, InstallEventArgs e)
  {
  ServiceController controller = new ServiceController("ServiceName");
  try
  {
  controller.Start();
  }
  catch (Exception ex)
  {
  String source = "MyService Installer";
  String log = "Application";
  if (!EventLog.SourceExists(source))
  {
  EventLog.CreateEventSource(source, log);
  }

  EventLog eLog = new EventLog();
  eLog.Source = source;

  eLog.WriteEntry(@"The service could not be started. Please start the service manually. Error: " + ex.Message, EventLogEntryType.Error);

  }
  }

And that's it.  Check the Event Viewer and if you get an error check the service name parameter when creating the ServiceController.

Don't forget to add these Namespaces: System.ServiceProcess; System.Diagnostics;

I won't take credit for this, this code is part of a set of tutorials related to windows services I found in Grinn Blog. Thanks Grinn!

If you decide to use a script anyway (instead of doing this programatically) you just need to insert this command (net start [service]) after the installing instruction.