CODEWITHSUNDEEP
windowsserviceauthentication
Freesnöw
Freesnöw

Reputation: 32143

Force User Log In with a Windows Service

Is it possible for a Windows service to force a user to login from the windows user login screen? I've seen where LogMeIn can do it. This is assuming, of course, that I have both the username and password for the user.

Is LogMeIn using an actual method (non-automated), or are they simply quickly automating the task of logging in my selecting the username and password fields and typing it in?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 1775

Answers (2)

Alex Mazzariol
Alex Mazzariol

Reputation: 2516

You should create a WindowStation, and a Desktop inside that. Your service would create the WindowStation and connect that to the user you want to log in, then I suppose you would periodically take a screenshot of the created desktop to present somewhere else.

You may want to start reading the documentation at https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms687105%28v=vs.85%29.aspx and linked pages, then ask a more specific question.

I don't know if this method can be used to log in at the Console (the window station attached to the physical video card/keyboard of the computer), but if this has to happen automatically I'd avoid using the Console, but a separate Window Station.

EDIT: as it happens to say on the very page I linked (my bad), if a session for the user exists and the service tries to connect to it, it is opened; if it does not exist then it is created anew, and a desktop (named "default") is attached to it. If your service only has to log the interactive user in you should use the auto-login feature of windows instead.

Upvotes: 2

pokie
pokie

Reputation: 23

Yes, you can auto login using Windows.

You didn't specify OS but for Windows 7/8 read this, and for Server 2003/2008 (and possibly 2012, but I haven't checked) check out this Microsoft article.

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions