WinSW
WinSW wraps applications as Windows services, so an executable can run under Windows service management.
What WinSW is
WinSW wraps applications as Windows services, so an executable can run under Windows service management. A required XML file sets the service’s behavior. From the command line, users can install or uninstall a service, start or stop it, restart it, check its status, and refresh it. Configuration can specify what happens after a process failure, including restarting the service or rebooting Windows. WinSW can capture standard output and error, with options to append, reset, ignore, or rotate logs. It can also download resources from URLs before launch, with authentication and proxy options. Service settings support service accounts and an SDDL security descriptor; the documentation warns that Basic credentials sent over HTTP are transmitted in clear text. WinSW is for Windows, not Unix systems. Version 3 requires .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later, or can use provided native 32-bit or 64-bit executables based on .NET 7. It is free and open source under the MIT license.
Good
- Can host any executable as a Windows service
- Command line covers common service controls
- Configurable failure actions and log handling
- Can fetch resources before launching an application
Watch out
- Windows only; Unix systems use their own daemon conventions
- Version 3 requires .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later, or provided native executables
- Basic credentials over HTTP are sent in clear text
Who it suits
WinSW suits Windows users who need to run an executable as a service and configure its startup, failure handling, and logs. It can host executables beyond Java applications.
Verdict
WinSW provides service management for Windows executables through XML configuration and command-line controls. Its Windows-only scope and version 3 runtime requirements are important to check before using it.
Plans and prices
From WinSW's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| WinSW | Free | Windows service wrapper · MIT licensed · binaries and source available |
The facts
Each one read from WinSW's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Configuration
- A required XML configuration file controls the behavior of the Windows service.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- Binaries are available through GitHub Releases, with CI builds on Azure Pipelines and 2.x packages on NuGet and Maven.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Download integration
- The wrapper can download resources from URLs before launching the configured application, with options for authentication and proxies.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Executable support
- The project describes WinSW as able to host any executable as a Windows service.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Failure handling
- Configuration can specify actions such as restarting the service or rebooting Windows after a process failure.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The WinSW software is licensed under the MIT license.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Logging
- WinSW can capture stdout and stderr, with append, reset, ignore, and log rotation modes.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Project audience
- The manifesto says WinSW can host any executable, whereas the Java Service Wrapper project it compares against can host only Java applications.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- WinSW wraps and manages applications as Windows services.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Runtime requirements
- WinSW 3 runs on Windows with .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later, or via provided native 32-bit and 64-bit executables based on .NET 7.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security controls
- Service configuration supports service accounts and an SDDL security descriptor; the documentation warns that Basic credentials over HTTP are sent in clear text.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security policy
- The repository security page says the project has no SECURITY.md file and no published security advisories.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Service commands
- Its command line supports installing, uninstalling, starting, stopping, restarting, checking status, and refreshing services.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Supported platform
- WinSW is for Windows; its project manifesto says Unix systems should use their own daemon conventions.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to WinSW
- 1
Argente Uninstall Manager
Free planWindows7.4From €9 a year - 2
AlwaysUp
Windows6.7$39.99 one-time - 3
BootRacer
Free planWindows6.6From $99.95 a year - 4
ServiWin
Free planWindows6.5Free plan - 5
FireDaemon Fusion
WebAPISelf-hostedWindows6.4$45 one-time - 6
AutoRun Manager
Free planWindows6.3Free plan