How to run a .NET console application in the background

64
votes

I have a console application written in C# that is scheduled to run every 15 minutes or so using the built-in Windows Task Scheduler.

Every time it runs, the black console box pops up for the duration of its execution and then closes. I am not writing anything to the console. Is there a way to make this run in the background?

8
c#console-application
Not from the console app itself, I think you should ask on Superuser how to configure this in the Scheduler. – Henk Holterman
Check this out if you look for .net core 3 solution. – Ognyan Dimitrov

8 Answers

185
votes

Project > Properties> Application tab > change Output type to "Windows application".

No more console window.

54
votes

Easy!

It seems hard to believe, but it works as a charm. I have used this for some setup projects, when you want to perform custom tasks with no signs of it.

  • Create the project as a Windows application project (this is the hard part).

  • Never make calls to any form. Just keep on in exactly as in your console application

    class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        // Just don't call Application.Run(new frmMain(args));

        // ... your code
    }
 }

This is because windows application projects are no really different than console, except because of the first form and references. It is totally hidden execution. Try it!

11
votes

You can use the Windows API to minimize the console box. Otherwise you can make it a Windows EXE file that does not actually load a form and call System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run().

Code to minimize the console:

[DllImport( "user32.dll" )]
public static extern bool ShowWindow(IntPtr hWnd, int nCmdShow);

public const int SW_SHOWMINIMIZED = 2;

IntPtr winHandle = System.Diagnostics.Process.GetCurrentProcess().MainWindowHandle;
ShowWindow(winHandle, SW_SHOWMINIMIZED);
9
votes

What about implementing the app into a windows service? You can set the interval to 15 mins and run the operation in the timer_tick.

6
votes

If you already have a Windows Console app created you can simply change the Output type of your app to Windows Application.

Under your project: Go to Properties > Application Select "Windows Application" as the Output type.

This would be the least impact and you can keep your Windows Task Scheduler running the same task.

3
votes

If it doesn't write anything to the console you could make it a service. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/9k985bc9%28VS.80%29.aspx

2
votes

It will only show up if it's scheduled to run as the same user that's currently logged in. Create another user on the machine with a ridiculously long password, set it to be an Administrator (only if needed) and schedule the task to run as that user.

0
votes

This is easy. Set the task to run under an account that is not your login account.