Programmatically remove a service using C#

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How to install a windows service programmatically in C#?

Is there a way to programmatically remove a service using C# without having to execute "InstallUtil.exe /u MyService.exe"?

Note: None of the methods listed below will work from a web page running in IIS. IIS won't allow it due to security concerns. — Kevin, Aug 30 '12 at 16:43

Mike Christensen · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-31T03:34:13.940

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You can use the ServiceInstaller.Uninstall method in System.ServiceProcess.dll. For example:

ServiceInstaller ServiceInstallerObj = new ServiceInstaller(); 
InstallContext Context = new InstallContext("<<log file path>>", null); 
ServiceInstallerObj.Context = Context; 
ServiceInstallerObj.ServiceName = "MyService"; 
ServiceInstallerObj.Uninstall(null);

This method will attempt to stop the service first before uninstalling.

edited Aug 31 '12 at 03:34

answered Aug 30 '12 at 16:30

Mike Christensen

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I don't understand, the Uninstall method takes the savedState, not the name of the service. – codewario Aug 31 '12 at 01:35
You're right. Updated with another example I found.. – Mike Christensen Aug 31 '12 at 03:34
InstallContext not in System.ServicesProcess – ArthNRick Feb 22 '17 at 14:54
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For those still looking for it, InstallContext is in System.Configuration.Install – thecoloryes Nov 14 '18 at 17:34

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 30 '12 at 16:30

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System.Configuration.Install.ManagedInstallerClass
                            .InstallHelper(new string[] { "/u", executablePath });

answered Aug 30 '12 at 16:30

L.B

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For any reason it claims the service is not installed, but it is. It's an external service written in .NET. I got admin rights on my process. – Martin Braun Aug 05 '16 at 09:54

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 30 '12 at 16:42

If what you are trying to do is to uninstall a service, you've written, from within itself and you've added an installer to the project, you can simply instantiate your Installer class and call Uninstall. For example, if you dragged an installer onto the designer service and named that component "ProjectInstaller", you can get your service to uninstall itself with the following code:

var installer = new ProjectInstaller();
installer.Uninstall(null);

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 30 '12 at 16:31

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Services are listed in the Windows Registry under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services. If you remove the key corresponding to the service's given name (not the display name; the one under which it was registered), you will have effectively "unregistered" the service. You can do this programmatically with the Microsoft.Win32.Registry object. You will need CAS permissions on the executing computer to modify registry entries.

answered Aug 30 '12 at 16:31

KeithS

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+1 This may not be recommended, it has the benefit of actually working. :) An alternative is to `CreateProcess sc.exe delete ServiceName`. – Andomar Mar 27 '13 at 17:21

Programmatically remove a service using C#

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