Run as Service (Windows only)

The following step-by-step guide describes how to setup RealtimeSync (or any other application) as a Windows Service. This is necessary if the tool shall run on the SYSTEM account independent from currently logged-in users. If you are the only user and all you want is to start RealtimeSync automatically then it's better to place a link into Windows' Autostart folder, specifying RealtimeSync.exe and the .ffs_batch or .ffs_real file as argument.

1. Get access to the command-line tools "instsrv.exe" and "srvany.exe" which come with the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools:

Download: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&displaylang=en

2. Create and register a new Service via command line:

instsrv <ServiceName> <PathToResourceKit>\srvany.exe


 

3. Link the new Service with RealtimeSync:

• Open the Registry editor (Regedit.exe) and navigate to key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\<ServiceName>"

• Add a new key "Parameters".
  

• Add a new String value named "Application" and specify a command line that shall be executed as value.
  

The new service is now ready for operation!

Attention:
When running RealtimeSync as a service the application has no means to interact with the user. Therefore any popup dialog will halt the process! Consider the following options when setting up a FreeFileSync batch job:

• Disable checkbox "Show progress dialog" or automatically close it after synchronization.

• Set "Error handling" to either "Exit instantly" or "Ignore errors".

• At least for debugging purposes or initial setup "Allow service to interact with desktop". The may show error dialogs otherwise hidden by the SYSTEM account.

You can start the service now via command line or Windows Service administration:

net start <ServiceName>


 

 

Note:
By default the service is created with start-up type "automatic" which runs it on Windows start. This behavior can be changed in Windows Service administration.

If the Service shall be removed from the system, enter via command line:

instsrv <ServiceName> remove


 

(Reference: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/137890)