Running Windows Service Application without installing it

Question

Whem I\'m writing a Windows Service and just hit F5 I get the error message that I have to install it using installutil.exe and then run it. In practice this me

Answer 1

I usually put the bulk of the service implementation into a class library, and then create two "front-ends" for running it - one a service project, the other a console or windows forms application. I use the console/forms application for debugging.

However, you should be aware of the differences in the environment between the debug experience and when running as a genuine service - e.g. you can accidentally end up dependent on running in a session with an interactive user, or (for winforms) where a message pump is running.