A slide on windows services - basic and introduction of windows services

1. Windows Services 101
Nurul Haszeli Ahmad
01 June 2015

2. HIGHLIGHTS
Understanding Windows Services
Programming Windows Services
View Windows Services
What is Windows Services?
References
Creating Windows Services
Windows Services vs Task Scheduler

3. WHAT IS WINDOWS SERVICES?
Windows Services
• A.K.A NT Services
• long-running executable applications that run
in their own Windows sessions
• Runs on background (no UI)
• Example services: DB Server, Anti-virus,
SSH, HTTP, Printer Spooler, etc
• Configurable:
• Runs on startup (computer boot)
• Delay run
• Manual / Auto run
• Start with parameter
• Starts for specific username
• An application can be programmable to run
as a services via .NET (creating a Windows
Service Application)

4. VIEW WINDOWS SERVICES
1. Command Prompt
2. Task Manager
3. Services Manager
4. Computer Manager
C:net start
C:net start | more

5. VIEW WINDOWS SERVICES
1. Command Prompt
2. Task Manager
3. Services Manager
4. Computer Manager

6. VIEW WINDOWS SERVICES
1. Command Prompt
2. Task Manager
3. Services Manager
4. Computer Manager

7. VIEW WINDOWS SERVICES
1. Command Prompt
2. Task Manager
3. Services Manager
4. Computer Manager

8. UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS SERVICES
Service
s Name
Current
Status
Start
Mode
Start
As/By

9. • Started
• Pause
• Pending
• Stop
Service
Status
• Automatic
• Manual
• Delay Start
• Disabled
Service
Start Mode
• Local System
• Local Service
• Network Service
Start As/By
More info:
1. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755249.aspx
2. http://www.howtogeek.com/school/using-windows-admin-tools-like-a-pro/lesson8/
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS SERVICES

10. Parameter that
can be changed
SQL Servers start parameter eg:
-e [error log path] –g [memory to
reserve]
will set error log location and starting
memory to be used
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS SERVICES

11. Control access to the services
Applicable for hardware
based services
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS SERVICES

12. Determine the action if the services failed
If three consecutives
startup failed, the services
can trigger to run a program
such as send notifications,
log error, etc.
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS SERVICES

13. The services/component that the
service dependent on
The component/services that has
dependencies to the service
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS SERVICES

14. Getting response
via command
prompt
C:Usershaszeli>sc queryex MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS
SERVICE_NAME: MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS
TYPE : 10 WIN32_OWN_PROCESS
STATE : 1 STOPPED
WIN32_EXIT_CODE : 1077 (0x435)
SERVICE_EXIT_CODE : 0 (0x0)
CHECKPOINT : 0x0
WAIT_HINT : 0x0
PID : 0
FLAGS :
C:Usershaszeli>
* You can also use net command to perform start/stop/pause/continue a service.
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS SERVICES

15. • Not all services it shall runs
• Depends on the usage of the PC / Server
Configuring Services - that you should start / disabled
1. Windows 8.1 - http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-
windows-8-1-service-configurations/
2. Windows 7 - http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-
windows-7-service-pack-1-service-configurations/
3. Windows Vista - http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-
windows-vista-service-pack-2-service-configurations/
4. Windows XP - http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-
windows-xp-x86-32-bit-service-pack-3-service-configurations/
Others: http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS SERVICES

16. PROGRAMMING WINDOWS SERVICES
 Requirement:
 Visual Studio (IDE)
 .NET Framework
 Programming skill – VB.NET and C#
 List of possible function calls
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/System.ServiceProcess(v=vs.110).aspx
• Creating Windows Services
1. Create .NET Windows Services Project
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/9k985bc9(v=vs.110).aspx
2. Write the program
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/76477d2t(v=vs.110).aspx
3. Code the services
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zt39148a(v=vs.110).aspx

17. CREATING WINDOWS SERVICES
Creating services using Sc.exe command
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/251192
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc990289.aspx
Install and uninstall windows services program created using .NET
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/sd8zc8ha(v=vs.110).aspx
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8164859/install-a-windows-
service-using-a-windows-command-prompt
https://coderamblings.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/how-to-install-a-
windows-service-using-the-command-prompt/

18. WINDOWS SERVICES
VS
TASK SCHEDULER
Windows Services Task Scheduler
Running a permanent or continuous
operation/task
Running a program/apps once a while
(on frequency basis)
When a service is required to provide
data/operation when
needed/triggered
Running at its own pace. Process and
provide output but does not dependent
on other program/input
Complex program and/or application
that is very complex in coding and
processing
Simple operation or program that can
be easily managed
Triggered via events or programs Triggered via time

19. REFERENCES
1. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/d56de412(v=vs.110).aspx
2. http://www.top-windows-tutorials.com/windows-services/
3. https://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/11299.aspx
4. http://www.7tutorials.com/what-are-windows-services-what-they-do-how-
manage-them
5. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc736564(v=ws.10).aspx
6. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/
7. http://www.howtogeek.com/school/using-windows-admin-tools-like-a-
pro/lesson8/
8. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755249.aspx
9. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/manage-services-in-
windows-vista-from-windows-vista-inside-out
10.https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/ms190737.aspx
11.http://weblogs.asp.net/jongalloway//428303
12.http://dejanstojanovic.net/aspnet/2014/december/windows-scheduled-task-
vs-windows-service/

20. Thank you.