Package as Service

Requires PowerShell Pro Tools

Please read the previous section on Package.psd1 before proceeding.

The PowerShell Pro Tools package can create Windows services based on PS1 files. It has all the same options as other exectuables but requires a special entry point script. This script should be used at the Root value when using Merge-Script or the Entry Point when packaging through Visual Studio.

<#
	This function is called when the service is started. Once this function returns, 
	your service will be set to a Running state.
#>
function OnStart() {

}

<#
	This function is called when the service is stopped. Once this function returns,
	your service will be set to a Stopped state and the process will terminate.
#>
function OnStop() {

}

# Specifies whether this service can be stopped once started
$CanStop = $true

OnStart Function

The OnStart function will be called when the service is started. You should not block the execution of this function. If you need to start a background process, consider using Start-Job . Once the function returns, the service will be listed as running in Service Control Manager.

You will have access to a $Service variable within the OnStart function that is the ServiceBase instance for your service.

OnStop Function

The OnStop function will be called when the Service Control Manager attempts to stop the service. You can do any clean up of resources for your service in this function. This would be a good place to stop any jobs using Stop-Job.

You will have access to a $Service variable within the OnStop function that is the ServiceBase instance for your service.

CanStop Variable

You can set the $CanStop variable to either $true or $false. If set to $false, the service cannot be stopped by the Service Control Manager.

Arguments

PowerShell services have access to both the process arguments and the service startup parameters. You can access the process arguments by referencing the $ProcessArgs variable. You can access the service startup parameters by accessing the $ServiceArgs variable.

Installing a Service for Windows PowerShell

You can install your service by passing --install to the service's executable. Install will not start the service so use Start-Service to start your new service by the name you provided.

Uninstall a Service for Windows PowerShell

To uninstall a service, use the --uninstall flag for your service's executable. It will also take care of stopping the service.

Install a Service for PowerShell 7

You will need to use the New-Service cmdlet to install a service for PowerShell 7.

New-Service -Name 'PowerShellService' -BinaryPathName "C:\myService.exe"

Uninstall a Service for PowerShell 7

You will need to use the Remove-Service cmdlet to uninstall a service built for PowerShell 7.

Remove-Service -name 'PowerShellService'