Question

Is it possible to launch a web browser from a windows service? I have created a basic service in C# and installed it under the “LocalSystem” security profile.

The code for the service looks as follows:

namespace Bootloader
{
    public partial class Service1 : ServiceBase
    {
        public Service1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }

        protected override void OnStart(string[] args)
        {
            string target = "http://www.microsoft.com";
            System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(target);
        }

        protected override void OnStop()
        {
        }
    }
}

When the service runs, nothing happens. The documentation on windows service say that they do not have any UI, but does that mean launching a web browser is not possible.

Answer 1

It’s possible only in XP and lower. In Vista, Windows Services run on a separate desktop completely. You’ll have to have something running in the user’s desktop to accomplish this.

Write an app with a hidden window that starts at startup as a workaround.