Windows Service - Opening IE window

[Invoke]

Hi everyone,

 

I've created a windows service with a timer which opens a IE browser window targeted at a specific page/script. It works if I run the executable itself, however when I install it as a service using InstallUtil and then manually start the service it does not work.

 

Any thoughts, suggestions or fixes would be really helpful.

 

Code from the service.vb file is below.

 

Thanks!

 

 

   Protected Overrides Sub OnStart(ByVal args() As String)
       ' Add code here to start your service. This method should set things
       ' in motion so your service can do its work.
       Timer1.Enabled = True
   End Sub

   Protected Overrides Sub OnStop()
       ' Add code here to perform any tear-down necessary to stop your service.
       Timer1.Enabled = False
   End Sub

   'Set variables for use in the Tracker
   Public Explorer As SHDocVw.InternetExplorer

   Private Sub Timer1_Elapsed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Timers.ElapsedEventArgs) Handles Timer1.Elapsed
       Explorer = New SHDocVw.InternetExplorer
       Explorer.Visible = True
       Explorer.Navigate("http://www.microsoft.com")
   End Sub

[dynamic_sysop]

you need to take a look at the System.Diagnostics.Process class to open your IE window really. ( no need to use SHDocVw.InternetExplorer to open a new IE window ) eg:

System.Diagnostics.Process.Start("IEXPLORE.EXE", "http://www.microsoft.com")
'/// open a new instance of IE and navigate to your chosen site.

[Derek Stone]

It's highly likely that it is working but you're simply not noticing. Windows services run on the SYSTEM or Network accounts. Their desktops are separate from yours, and any window created will only be displayed in their context.