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Version: v3

ServiceInstall Element

Description
Adds services for parent Component. Use the ServiceControl element to remove services.
Windows Installer references
ServiceInstall Table
Parents
Component
Inner Text
None
Children
Choice of elements (min: 0, max: unbounded)
Attributes
NameTypeDescriptionRequired
AccountStringFully qualified names must be used even for local accounts, e.g.: ".\LOCAL_ACCOUNT". Valid only when ServiceType is ownProcess. 
ArgumentsStringContains any command line arguments or properties required to run the service. 
DescriptionStringSets the description of the service. 
DisplayNameStringThis column is the localizable string that user interface programs use to identify the service. 
EraseDescriptionYesNoTypeDetermines whether the existing service description will be ignored. If 'yes', the service description will be null, even if the Description attribute is set. 
ErrorControlEnumerationDetermines what action should be taken on an error. This attribute's value must be one of the following:
ignore
Logs the error and continues with the startup operation.
normal
Logs the error, displays a message box and continues the startup operation.
critical
Logs the error if it is possible and the system is restarted with the last configuration known to be good. If the last-known-good configuration is being started, the startup operation fails.
Yes
IdString Unique identifier for this service configuration. This value will default to the Name attribute if not specified.  
InteractiveYesNoTypeWhether or not the service interacts with the desktop. 
LoadOrderGroupStringThe load ordering group that this service should be a part of. 
NameStringThis column is the string that gives the service name to install.Yes
PasswordStringThe password for the account. Valid only when the account has a password. 
StartEnumerationDetermines when the service should be started. The Windows Installer does not support boot or system. This attribute's value must be one of the following:
auto
The service will start during startup of the system.
demand
The service will start when the service control manager calls the StartService function.
disabled
The service can no longer be started.
boot
The service is a device driver that will be started by the operating system boot loader. This value is not currently supported by the Windows Installer.
system
The service is a device driver that will be started by the IoInitSystem function. This value is not currently supported by the Windows Installer.
Yes
TypeEnumerationThe Windows Installer does not currently support kernelDriver or systemDriver. This attribute's value must be one of the following:
ownProcess
A Win32 service that runs its own process.
shareProcess
A Win32 service that shares a process.
kernelDriver
A kernel driver service. This value is not currently supported by the Windows Installer.
systemDriver
A file system driver service. This value is not currently supported by the Windows Installer.
Yes
VitalYesNoTypeThe overall install should fail if this service fails to install. 
Remarks
The service executable installed will point to the KeyPath for the Component. Therefore, you must ensure that the correct executable is either the first child File element under this Component or explicitly mark the appropriate File element as KeyPath='yes'.
See Also
Wix Schema