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Among the most-popular posts on the Installation blog are those related to using InstallShield to create installations that install Windows Services. The past few InstallShield releases have included updated Windows Services capabilities. Those enhancements are highlighted here, along with links to additional information.

InstallShield 2013 introduced the following improvements related to Windows Services:

  • The Express and Limited editions have a new Services view that lets you configure one or more services that you want to be installed during installation and removed during uninstallation. These editions also have support for optionally starting the service after installing it, starting it automatically every time that the system starts, or starting it on demand (when the service is requested through the Service Control Manager.)

ServicesView-Express

Configuring a service in the new Services view of InstallShield Express Edition.

 

ServicesView-Limited

Configuring a service in the new Services view of InstallShield Limited Edition.

The old method of using Installer classes to install Windows services (which was previously the only method available to Express and Limited users, described in the 2012 blog article) is fragile and generally not recommended.

  • The Premier and Professional editions have a new dedicated Services view. In earlier versions of InstallShield Premier Edition and InstallShield Professional Edition, this view was more difficult to find: it was available only as a subview in the Setup Design view and the Components view.

ServicesView-PremierProfessional

Configuring a service in the new Services view of InstallShield Premier and Professional Editions.

For more information on the support that is available in InstallShield 2014 Express Edition, InstallShield 2013 Express Edition, and InstallShield 2013 Limited Edition, see the following InstallShield Express Edition help topics:

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For more information on the support that is available in the Premier and Professional editions of InstallShield 2014 and later, see the following help topics:

Note that the Express and Limited editions of InstallShield include support for installing a service during installation, and removing the service during uninstallation. These editions also have support for optionally starting the service during installation.

The Premier and Professional editions of InstallShield include additional flexibility for services. These editions enable you to start, stop, or delete the service during installation or uninstallation. These editions also let you configure extended service customization options that are available with Windows Installer 5. In addition, the Premier and Professional editions let you configure a service that is already present on target systems.

 

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