Process running invisible from Windows Service

Question

Hi everyone. I'm installing a service on a specific user that should run a process when windows starts. However because it's only installed for a specific user, the process does not interact with the desktop, and therefore ends up running in the background instead of letting me see it. What can I do?

theLizard · Answer

Maybe you are doing something windows does not allow you to do could this be a reason? What are you asking the service to do for this user!!!

Bryan · Answer

Ok so I found the startup folder and put a shortcut in there. I set it to run as administrator. However Windows is blocking it when it starts to run. Any suggestions?

Bryan · Answer

John I tried finding this path but it was not there. Are you sure this is correct? Is this only for certain versions of Windows?

Bryan · Answer

No I have not. Thank you!

John Penn · Answer

Have you tried setting the shortcut to run the app as Administrator?

Bryan · Answer

Honestly this would be a lot easier if I didn't have to Run as Administrator to get it started everytime. If anyone knows how to make it so I don't need this it would be greatly appreciated.

Bryan · Answer

Thank you for your response. My only problem with this is that the program needs to Run as an Administrator. I have a program and here is what I need it to do: 1) Install the program for an individual user. 2) Set it up automatically so that it will Run as Administrator when Windows starts. I've tried Windows Services and this and both seem to have lead to dead ends. Can anyone help me please?!

John Penn · Answer

For Vista (and probably Win7 as well) the equivalent path would be: C:\Users\ USERNAME \AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Bryan · Answer

That's good for XP but what about Vista. Vista doesn't have startup folders like that. And if it does I couldn't find it.

John Penn · Answer

Then put the shortcut in that user's startup folder. For example in XP the path would be: C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Bryan · Answer

I don't want this to startup for all users. Only for one user.

John Penn · Answer

You shouldn't be using a service to start the process if there's a GUI involved. The simplest solution would be to place a shortcut for the process in the All User's startup folder.