Windows Services are programs that run the background of the operating systems (OS). Unlike regular applications, these services do not require user interaction, nor do you have the possibility to create them with user interaction. They typically run automatically when the system boots up. Some popular examples of services are the print spooler, task scheduler, DHCP & DNS client, and so on.

We got a question in the Advanced Installer forum about the possibility of passing arguments to a service when the parameters are received from a configuration file, such as an .INI file.

An important characteristic that we've highlighted in our series of posts about Windows Installer XML Toolset (WiX) is that it doesn't have a GUI. It builds the Windows Installer package with the information defined in the WiX source file (XML based).

Up until 2020, Windows Services were not supported in MSIX -- which represented a blocker for organizations looking to transition their applications (that used Windows Services) to MSIX technology.

Recently, one of our users has asked us if it is possible to install, through Advanced Installer, a service under a Managed Service Account (MSA).

Adding a service to your project is as simple as going to the Services page, pressing the New Service button and selecting it.