Installing a .NET Windows Service on a machine that doesn't have Visual Studio installed

Question

I have created a Windows Service (called MuskOx) which runs on my development machine (which obviously has Visual Studio installed).

The Bin folder of the project contains the following files:

InstallUtil.InstallLog
muskox.InstallLog
muskox.InstallState
MuskOx.exe.config
MuskOx.vshost.exe
MuskOx.vshost.exe.config
MuskOx.vshost.exe.manifest
Kctc.dll (a class library used by MuskOx)
Kctc.pdb
MuskOx.exe
MuskOx.pdb

Can anyone tell me what I need to do to install the service on another machine which doesn't have VS installed? I haven't the faintest idea what half of those files do and I'm finding Googling answers a little unproductive.

Thanks

David

refer to the link is you would prefer for your service to install/uninstall itself (instead of requiring the use of InstallUtil.exe). http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1195478/how-to-make-a-net-windows-service-start-right-after-the-installation/1195621#1195621 — Matt Davis, Jul 01 '10 at 17:15

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 01 '10 at 14:29

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You don't need to ship any of the .vshost.* files. The pdb files are debug files so only ship those if you want symbols in your debug output. And of course when installing the service on another machine, InstallLog and InstallState files should get generated so you don't need to ship those either.

answered Jul 01 '10 at 14:29

Krip

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Thanks for the details of the files, but how do I actually physically install the service? – David Jul 01 '10 at 14:53

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 01 '10 at 15:06

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Copy MuskOx.exe and Kctc.dll to the target machine. Run installutil.exe to get it registered, its available in c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727

answered Jul 01 '10 at 15:06

Hans Passant

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Cool, I think that's what I need to know. I'll let you know how I get on! – David Jul 01 '10 at 15:18

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 08 '10 at 20:52

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For .net applications use the installutil.exe as Hans already pointed out. You can also use sc.exe to install and uninstall services.

answered Jul 08 '10 at 20:52

tobsen

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score 0 · Answer 4 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:13

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You can do it with your application:

How to install a windows service programmatically in C#?

edited May 23 '17 at 12:13

Community

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answered Jul 08 '10 at 20:56

jgauffin

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Installing a .NET Windows Service on a machine that doesn't have Visual Studio installed

4 Answers4