Q: How does Servy compare to WinSW?
A: WinSW is a solid tool but lacks some flexibility. It doesn't have a graphical user interface and is primarily an XML-configured Windows service wrapper for running executables as services. While WinSW supports setting a working directory via its <workingdirectory> XML element, its health check and automatic recovery features are limited compared to Servy. WinSW's restart strategies rely mainly on exit codes or service failures but don't provide active health checks (like heartbeat monitoring) or advanced recovery options such as restarting the child process or the entire system after repeated failures. Servy adds more granular health monitoring, flexible recovery actions, and a modern UI for easier management, which WinSW lacks.

Q: Why do I need admin privileges?
A: Creating and controlling Windows services requires elevated permissions.

Q: Is Servy compatible with older Windows versions? A: Servy supports Windows 7 and later, including all x64 Windows Server editions.

Q: Can I capture stdout and stderr logs?
A: Yes, Servy can redirect stdout/stderr to log files with automatic rotation based on file size.

Q: What happens if the monitored process crashes?
A: Servy executes the configured recovery action (restart service, restart process, restart computer, or none).

Q: What types of applications can Servy run as a service?
A: Servy can run any executable, including Node.js, Python, .NET apps, batch scripts, and PowerShell scripts.

Q: How do I run scripts like batch or PowerShell with Servy?
A: Run them via their interpreters (cmd.exe or powershell.exe) by specifying the interpreter as the executable and the script path as a parameter.

Q: Can I set a custom working directory?
A: Yes, Servy allows you to specify the startup directory to avoid path issues common with Windows services.

Q: Does Servy support automatic restarts?
A: Yes, it includes health checks and configurable automatic recovery and restart policies.

Q: How do I update a service's configuration?
A: If a service is already installed, you can update its configuration—such as description, executable path, user account, and other options—through Servy Manager. Simply open the service's configuration, make your changes, and click Install to apply them. Finally, restart the service to ensure all changes take effect.