What is a Windows Service and how does its lifecycle differ from a "standard" EXE?

13.What is a Windows Service and how does its lifecycle differ from a “standard” EXE?

Windows Service applications are long-running applications that are ideal for use in server environments. The applications do not have a user interface or produce any visual output; it is instead used by other programs or the system to perform operations. Any user messages are typically written to the Windows Event Log. Services can be automatically started when the computer is booted. This makes services ideal for use on a server or whenever you need long-running functionality that does not interfere with other users who are working on the same computer. They do not require a logged in user in order to execute and can run under the context of any user including the system. Windows Services are controlled through the Service Control Manager where they can be stopped, paused, and started as needed.

How does the lifecycle of Windows services differ from Standard EXE?

Windows services lifecycle is managed by “Service Control Manager” which is responsible for starting and stopping the service and the applications do not have a user interface or produce any visual output, but “Standard executable” doesn’t require Control Manager and is directly related to the visual output