Problems creating service using sc.exe

Question

I have this command to create a service:

sc create svnserve binpath="\"C:\Program Files (x86)\Subversion\bin\svnserve.exe\" --service --root C:\SVNRoot" displayname="Subversion" depend=tcpip start=auto obj="NT AUTHORITY\LocalService"

Unfortunately, it seems not to work, even though the syntax is correct. When I run it, I get the usage instructions (which I guess is a way of telling me that I've supplied incorrect arguments, although I have no idea what incorrect argument I might have supplied).

Can anyone help me out of my difficulty? Thanks!

score 26 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 18 '10 at 07:04

26

Your syntax is actually incorrect, but you'll be forgiven for missing it.

From the help text for sc create:

NOTE: The option name includes the equal sign.

What isn't immediately obvious from this is that the options need to be specified with a space between the option name and the value.

Incorrect:

displayname="Subversion"

Correct (note the space after =):

displayname= "Subversion"

Your command should work just fine formatted accordingly, i.e.:

sc create svnserve binpath= "\"C:\Program Files (x86)\Subversion\bin\svnserve.exe\" --service --root C:\SVNRoot" displayname= "Subversion" depend= tcpip start= auto obj= "NT AUTHORITY\LocalService"

answered Jun 18 '10 at 07:04

ThatGraemeGuy

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Voted your response as the answer, because it was more detailed. Thanks! – Tola Odejayi Jun 18 '10 at 17:07
This no longer appears to be an issue in windows 10. It appears to work for me, if anyone else wants to verify this. – Joel McBeth Sep 28 '16 at 18:57
You saved my day! – QtRoS Jul 05 '19 at 13:27

score 15 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 18 '10 at 07:01

15

you need spaces after =

displayname= "Subversion Server" depend= Tcpip start= auto

answered Jun 18 '10 at 07:01

evg345

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+1 - The sc syntax confuses first-time users w/ the need for spaces after arguments. – Evan Anderson Jun 18 '10 at 11:20
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I've been using it for years and it still trips me up occasionally. :-( – ThatGraemeGuy Jun 18 '10 at 14:58

Problems creating service using sc.exe

2 Answers2