Daemon (computing) - Implementation in MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows

Implementation in MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows

In the Microsoft DOS environment, daemon-like programs were implemented as Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) software. On Microsoft Windows NT systems, programs called Windows services perform the functions of daemons. They run as processes, usually do not interact with the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and may be launched by the operating system at boot time. In Windows 2000 and later versions, Windows services are configured and manually started and stopped using the Control Panel, a dedicated control/configuration program, the Service Controller component of the Service Control Manager (sc command), or the net start and net stop commands.

However, any Windows application can perform the role of a daemon, not just a service, and some daemons for Windows have the option of running as a normal process.