How to install a C# Windows Service on a remote server?

Question

Hi I have developed a C# Windows Service in Visual Studio. I am able to install this service on my local machine and it works fine. Now I want to be able to install it on a remote server. Can you tell me how to do this? My service is just built on the Windows Service VS template, so it's all very simple. I am not so geeky, so it would be useful with some tutorial, manual which I can understand. I am running VS 2010 Professional.

Accepted Answer

You need to have Remote Desktop access to the server.

When you are in you can do it via the commandline using something like this:

```
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\installutil /LogToConsole=true C:\Path\To\Service.exe
```

Then you can manage it (start it, set it to auto start, stop it, restart it) by going to Start | Run and typing

```
services.msc
```

then press enter.

To uninstall it use:

```
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\installutil /u /LogToConsole=true C:\Path\To\Service.exe
```

But you will need to have stopped the service first.

Note: There is probably a new util in newer .net releases - my notes are from a while ago when I built a 2.0 service. Look in `C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\` for a version number that matches the .net you're developing in.

How to install a C# Windows Service on a remote server?

Solution

Problem