How to Run Any Program as a Windows Service

If you’ve ever wanted to run a program automatically in the background without keeping a window open, you’ve probably thought about turning it into a Windows service. Normally, setting this up requires some PowerShell or sc.exe knowledge, but there’s a simpler way: NSSM (Non-Sucking Service Manager).

NSSM is a lightweight, free utility that lets you install almost any program as a service in Windows 10 or Windows 11. This means it can start automatically at boot, run silently in the background, and restart if it crashes — perfect for server apps, monitoring tools, or custom scripts.

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Why Use NSSM Instead of Built-In Tools?

Windows already includes sc.exe for creating services, but it’s not user-friendly and requires manual configuration. NSSM makes the process easier because:

• It has a simple GUI.

• You can point it directly to any .exe or script.

• It automatically handles service restarts.

• Works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 (32-bit and 64-bit).

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How to Install a Program as a Service with NSSM

Here’s a quick step-by-step example:

1. Download NSSM
   Get it from the official site: nssm.cc. Unzip the archive.

2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
   Navigate to the folder with nssm.exe.

3. Install a New Service
   Run:

    

   path\nssm.exe install MyServiceName

   

   A window will open where you can browse for the program you want to run as a service.

   

4. Configure Options

   • Path: Choose the .exe or script.

   • Startup directory: Where the program resides.

   • Arguments: If your script needs parameters, enter them here.

5. Save and Start the Service
   After setup, the program will now run in the background like a normal Windows service.

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Managing Your Service

Once installed, you can use either Windows Services (services.msc) or NSSM commands to:

• Start / Stop / Restart the service

• Change startup type (Automatic, Manual, Disabled)

• Uninstall the service with:

   

  nssm remove MyServiceName
  

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When Is NSSM Useful?

• Running backup scripts automatically.

• Keeping monitoring tools always on.

• Hosting lightweight apps on a home or work server.

• Ensuring programs restart if they crash.

For IT admins, developers, and power users, NSSM saves time and avoids scripting headaches.

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✅ Quick Verdict:
If you want to turn any Windows program into a background service without coding, NSSM is the go-to free solution.