WinSW is a wrapper executable that runs any application as a Windows service under a permissive license.
The tool solves the problem of managing arbitrary executables as Windows services without requiring custom service code. It works by wrapping the target application with an XML configuration file that specifies service metadata, startup behavior, and management options. Users rename the WinSW executable to match their application, place it alongside an XML config file, and use command-line operations to install, start, stop, and monitor the service.
WinSW suits developers and system administrators who need to run non-service applications as Windows services without modifying the application itself. It works well for legacy applications, scripts, or any executable that lacks native Windows service support. The tool is particularly useful in enterprise environments and CI/CD pipelines where service management is required. The project provides both .NET Framework and native .NET 7 executables to accommodate different Windows environments, from older systems with Framework 4.6.1 to modern Windows 10 and Server platforms.
The project maintains parallel development tracks with version 2.x receiving stable releases while version 3.x development occurs on the default branch. The tool is distributed through multiple channels including GitHub Releases, NuGet packages, Maven repositories via the Jenkins project, and Azure Pipelines CI builds. Documentation is comprehensive, covering XML configuration file specifications, command-line interface details, and practical samples for common use cases.
