Windows Service Vs. Scheduled Task

Windows Service

• Interval specific, i.e. you can create a timer that runs every 4 hours etc
• Runs all the time.
• You can set up listener events to push actions
• No GUI. Any interaction will be carried out via EventLogs, counters and such.
• Runs in own security context, i.e. does not need to care which user logs in etc.
• More reliable?

Scheduled Task

• You can specify exact timing, e.g. 8pm every Wednesday.
• There is a console to display output messages.
• You can run the application based on logged in user.