How can I verify if a Windows Service is running

189
votes

I have an application in C# (2.0 running on XP embedded) that is communicating with a 'watchdog' that is implemented as a Windows Service. When the device boots, this service typically takes some time to start. I'd like to check, from my code, if the service is running. How can I accomplish this?

2
c#windows-serviceswatchdog
Please have a look on the ServiceController object in .NET. – Larry
Oooh...even better than rolling your own via WMI. I'll remove my answer. – EBGreen
@EBGreen - I don't know, the WMI route may be useful for someone else in future, there's more than one way to skin a cat, and all that.... – Carl
Ya, but I really do think ServiceController is better over all, so I think I will leave it deleted. I never would have even suggested WMI if I hadn't just woken up. :) – EBGreen

2 Answers

377
votes

I guess something like this would work:

Add System.ServiceProcess to your project references (It's on the .NET tab).

using System.ServiceProcess;

ServiceController sc = new ServiceController(SERVICENAME);

switch (sc.Status)
{
    case ServiceControllerStatus.Running:
        return "Running";
    case ServiceControllerStatus.Stopped:
        return "Stopped";
    case ServiceControllerStatus.Paused:
        return "Paused";
    case ServiceControllerStatus.StopPending:
        return "Stopping";
    case ServiceControllerStatus.StartPending:
        return "Starting";
    default:
        return "Status Changing";
}

Edit: There is also a method sc.WaitforStatus() that takes a desired status and a timeout, never used it but it may suit your needs.

Edit: Once you get the status, to get the status again you will need to call sc.Refresh() first.

Reference: ServiceController object in .NET.

16
votes

Here you get all available services and their status in your local machine. 

ServiceController[] services = ServiceController.GetServices();
foreach(ServiceController service in services)
{
    Console.WriteLine(service.ServiceName+"=="+ service.Status);
}

You can Compare your service with service.name property inside loop and you get status of your service. For details go with the http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.serviceprocess.servicecontroller.aspx also http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.windows.design.servicemanager(v=vs.90).aspx