Windows services with windows forms in the same process

Question

I have a c# application that runs as a windows service controlling socket connections and other things. Also, there is another windows forms application to control and configure this service (systray with start, stop, show form with configuration parameters).

I'm using .net remoting to do the IPC and that was fine, but now I want to show some real traffic and other reports and remoting will not meet my performance requirements. So I want to combine both applications in one.

Here is the problem:

When I started the form from the windows service, nothing happened. Googling around I've found that I have to right click the service, go to Log on and check the "Allow service to interact with desktop" option. Since I don't want to ask my users to do that, I got some code googling again to set this option in the user's regedit during installation time. The problem is that even setting this option, it doesn't work. I have to open the Log On options of the service (it is checked), uncheck and check again.

So, how to solve that? How is the best way to have a windows service with a systray control in the same process, available to any user logging in?

UPDATE: Thanks for the comments so far, guys. I agree it is better to use IPC and I know that it is bad to mix windows services and user interfaces. Even though, I want to know how to do that.

Answer 1

Two separate processes that communicate using your technology of choice. Services with UI is a bad idea. Don't go down this road - you'll regret it.

I've had very good results having service communication through a simple socket connection - document your service protocol well, keep it as simple as possible, and it'll be easier than you think.