winsw/README.md

# Windows Service Wrapper in a permissive license

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WinSW wraps and manages any application as a Windows service.

**We are actively developing WinSW 3. Please refer to the v2 branch for previous version documentation.**

**Please help us prioritize items by voting or commenting on the issues!**

## Why?

See the [project manifest](MANIFEST.md).

## Supported platforms

WinSW 3 can run on Windows platforms with .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later versions installed.
For systems without .NET Framework, the project provides native 64-bit and 32-bit executables based on .NET Core.

More executables can be added upon request.

[.NET Framework system requirements](https://docs.microsoft.com/dotnet/framework/get-started/system-requirements)\
Preinstalled on Windows 10, version 1511 and Windows Server 2016.\
Installable on Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.

[.NET 5 system requirements](https://github.com/dotnet/core/blob/master/release-notes/5.0/5.0-supported-os.md)\
Supported on Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server (Core) 2012 R2 and Nano Server, version 1809.

## Download

Latest release and pre-release WinSW binaries are available on [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/winsw/winsw/releases).

Alternative sources:

* CI builds are available on [Azure Pipelines](https://dev.azure.com/winsw/winsw/_build?definitionId=1).
* [NuGet](https://www.nuget.org/packages/WinSW/). (2.x)
* [Maven packaging](https://github.com/jenkinsci/winsw-maven-packaging) for executables, hosted by the [Jenkins project](https://jenkins.io/).
Binaries are available [here](https://repo.jenkins-ci.org/releases/com/sun/winsw/winsw/). (2.x)

## Usage

WinSW is being managed by the [XML configuration file](docs/xml-config-file.md).

Your renamed *WinSW.exe* binary also accepts the following commands:

| Command                                             | Description |
| -------                                             | ----------- |
| [install](docs/cli-commands.md#install-command)     | Installs the service. This command requires some preliminary steps described in the [installation guide](docs/installation.md). |
| [uninstall](docs/cli-commands.md#uninstall-command) | Uninstalls the service. |
| [start](docs/cli-commands.md#start-command)         | Starts the service. |
| [stop](docs/cli-commands.md#stop-command)           | Stops the service. |
| [restart](docs/cli-commands.md#restart-command)     | Stops and then starts the service. |
| [status](docs/cli-commands.md#status-command)       | Checks the status of the service. |
| [test](docs/cli-commands.md#test-command)           | Checks if the service can be started and then stopped without installation. |
| [refresh](docs/cli-commands.md#refresh-command)     | Refreshes the service properties without reinstallation. |
| [customize](docs/cli-commands.md#customize-command) | Customizes the wrapper executable. |
| dev                                                 | Experimental commands. |

Experimental commands:

| Command  | Description |
| -------  | ----------- |
| dev ps   | Draws the process tree associated with the service. |
| dev kill | Terminates the service if it has stopped responding. |

Most commands require Administrator privileges to execute. WinSW will prompt for UAC in non-elevated sessions.

## Documentation

* [Get started](docs/installation.md)
* [Migrate to WinSW 3.x](docs/migrate-to-3-x)
* Configuration:
  * [XML configuration file](docs/xml-config-file.md)
  * [Logging and error reporting](docs/logging-and-error-reporting.md)
  * [Extensions](docs/extensions/extensions.md)
    * [Shared Directory Mapper](docs/extensions/shared-directory-mapper.md)
* Use cases:
  * [Self-restarting services](docs/self-restarting-service.md)
  * [Deferred file operations](docs/deferred-file-operations.md)

## Contributing

Contributions are welcome!
See the [contributing guidelines](CONTRIBUTING.md) for more information.

## License

WinSW is licensed under the [MIT](LICENSE.txt) license.