Reputation: 7401

Starting a hidden C++ program

I am creating a C++ program with Visual Studio 2010 that is supposed to run on the background of my machine.

Therefore when I start it, I shouldn't see the CMD screen while it is running. How can I do this? Do I have to use the Win32 API or a normal C++ program will suffice?

Please note that my program has no GUI at all.

Upvotes: 5

Answers (6)

FailedDev

Reputation: 26940

Use WinMain() :

#include <windows.h>

int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE inst,HINSTANCE prev,LPSTR cmd,int show)
{
  // program starts here
  return 0;
}

// int main()  <-- remove main()

Then ake sure your project settings are set so that you build a "Win32" program and not a "Console" program.

enter image description here

Edit: As @Sehe points out, winMain may not be necessary, although I am not quite sure where this option lies.

Upvotes: 14

Ben Straub

Reputation: 5776

You can run as a Windows process (which doesn't attach to a console), but never create a window. the main difference is the signature of WinMain, and the flags to the compiler.

Go to File -> New Project, select the standard Windows Application, then delete everything except WinMain.

Upvotes: 0

kichik

Reputation: 34744

Simply make it a GUI application instead of a command line application. Right click the project -> Properties -> Configuration Properties -> Linker -> System -> SubSystem -> Windows (/SUBSYSTEM:WINDOWS).

Upvotes: 1