NSSM
What it is
NSSM is a Windows utility for running an application as a service, monitoring it, and responding when it exits. It provides a graphical interface to install or remove services, while command-line options can configure them from scripts. After an application exits, NSSM can restart it, ignore the exit, exit itself, or exit uncleanly to trigger service recovery actions. It records progress in the Windows system Event Log and can redirect application input and output. Users can set output rotation at a configurable file size, including while the application is running. Other controls include setting an application's priority class and CPU affinity, and starting, stopping, or querying services. NSSM is public domain and its source code may be used for any purpose. The site lists 32-bit and 64-bit binaries and says it should work on Windows 2000 or later. Its latest listed release is version 2.24, dated 2014-08-31; a 2.24 prerelease build is dated 2017-04-26. Managing services requires administrator access, and the site warns that bugs can cause severe system issues.
For and against
For
- Graphical service installation and removal
- Command-line configuration can be scripted
- Can redirect application input and output
- Supports output rotation while applications run
- Public-domain license permits any-purpose use
Against
- Requires administrator access to manage services
- Latest listed release dates to 2014
- Site warns bugs can cause severe system issues
- Windows-only utility
The verdict
NSSM provides service setup, monitoring, restart behavior, and related controls for Windows applications. Its dated listed release and the site's warning about serious issues merit attention before use.
Who it suits
NSSM may suit Windows users who need to install and control applications as services, including through scripts. It is for users comfortable managing services with administrator access.
Plans and prices
NSSM
Public domain; Windows service helper; 32-bit and 64-bit binaries
Read 4 Oct 2026 · nssm.cc
On the record
- Build and distribution
- The site says NSSM is built with Jenkins and that its Chocolatey package is maintained by a third party and may not match the latest site build.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Exit behavior
- When an application exits, NSSM can restart it, ignore the exit, exit itself, or exit uncleanly to trigger service recovery actions.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Known issues
- The bugs page lists version 2.24 issues affecting newer Windows service startup, Windows XP crashes, log rotation over 4 GB, and other cases.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- NSSM is public domain and may be used with its source code for any purpose.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Logging and I/O
- NSSM logs its progress to the Windows system Event Log and can redirect the monitored application's input and output.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The NSSM site identifies Iain Patterson as its author.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Other controls
- NSSM can set an application's priority class and CPU affinity, and can start, stop, and query services.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Output rotation
- NSSM can rotate output files when they reach a configurable size, including while the application is running.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- NSSM runs an application as a Windows service, monitors it, and can restart it if it exits.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Release status
- The page lists version 2.24, dated 2014-08-31, as the latest release and a 2.24 prerelease build dated 2017-04-26.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security and privileges
- NSSM requires administrator access to manage services, and the site warns that bugs can cause severe system issues.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Service setup
- It provides a graphical interface for installing and removing services, and its command-line options can configure services from scripts.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site directs users to the Windows Application Event Log for troubleshooting and to the author's email address in repository commits to report bugs.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The download page says NSSM should work on Windows 2000 or later and includes 32-bit and 64-bit binaries.nssm.cc · read 4 Oct 2026
