This article show how to start Interactive Windows Services under FireDaemon Pro control in the currently logged in session. By using automatic logon and scheduled tasks, you can automatically start your FireDaemon Pro services in session.


Step 1: Install FireDaemon Pro and Set Up Your Services

  1. Download and install FireDaemon Pro.
  2. Create your FireDaemon services. Ensure they are set to Manual Start and they are running as the LocalSystem account (i.e. don't specify a user in your configuration). Check out our Guides if you need guidance setting up your app under FireDaemon Pro control.


Step 2: Set Up Automatic Login

You now want to set automatic login for user you want to run your services as. To do this on Windows 7:

  1. Run netplwiz.exe
  2. Uncheck "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer" then click OK
  3. Supply the autologin username and password. If you want to use a domain user account see this article.


Step 3: Create a Schedule

You now need to create a schedule to auto elevate FireDaemon Pro to allow the starting of your services. Create a new task (not a basic task). Run sched.exe (Windows 7) or taskschd.msc /s (Windows 8). Then in the:

  • General Tab
    • Name: FireDaemonServices
    • Check: Run only when user is logged on
    • Check: Run with highest privileges
    • Check: Hidden
    • Configure for: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (change this to suite your app and version of Windows)
  • Actions Tab (add an action for each service to be elevated - click the New button. Replace ServiceA with the actual short name of your service)
    • Action: Start a Program
    • Settings / Program/Script: "C:\Program Files\FireDaemon\firedaemon.exe"
    • Settings / Add Arguments:  --start ServiceA --in-session
  • Conditions Tab
    • Uncheck Start the task only if the computer is on AC power
  • Settings Tab
    • Uncheck Stop the task if it runs longer than
    • Uncheck If the running task does not end when request
    • If the task is already running, then the following rules applies: Run a new instance in parallel.


Step 4: Create a Shortcut

Lastly, create a shortcut in the Startup Folder of the user in question that points to: C:\Windows\System32\schtasks.exe /run /tn "FireDaemonServices"


And that's it - when you boot or reboot your machine, the computer will auto login and run all your nominated FireDaemon services interactively. Should a service crash or be terminated accidentally, then FireDaemon Pro will restart you app in session.


Do you want to start your interactive services via login scripts instead? Read our companion article on using login scripts to start your interactive sessions.