Scripting a GUI from within a Windows Service?

Question

I would like to automate a windows app that comes only with as a GUI app (no support for command-line). The automation itself is relatively straightforward with AutoIt.

Yet, I am wondering, is-it possible to launch the Windows App from with a windows service (that would simply call the AutoIt script)?

Answer 1

Even if Auto-it can work with UAC, you will most likely run into Session Isolation troubles - i.e services and desktop don't mix and send messages to each other, unless explicitely coded to pass through it.

So it's possible, but it's not a piece of cake either.

You probably want to look at : http://stackoverflow.com/questions/564829/launching-a-net-winforms-application-interactively-from-a-service/564874#564874