After searching this site and various Q, it is clear that services and systemd
is not available for WSL. I need to run a program in WSL every time I start my PC so I read this page on how to use crontab: How to run Ubuntu service on Windows (at startup)? Super User but I got confused because the format does not tally with the format in crontab.
In addition, that particular question was specific for SSH servers which requires that the security aspect if considered and dealth with resulting in overcomplication of steps. Irrespective, the steps explored in that qusetion have been tried and they did not work. In addition, that question is highly specific to SSH servers whilst this question deals with a general enviromental requirement i. I need to know HOW to run services in WSL (which may include but is not limited to SSH serrvers)
In effect – A more simplified solution is required than How to run Ubuntu service on Windows (at startup)? provides.
However this is my cron:
PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin
PATH=cd /usr/local/src/:cd xmr-stak-cpu:cd bin/
@reboot . sudo ./xmr-stak-cpu
I have also done this:
Run bash/cron loop on start
Create a file called linux.bat in shell:startup
Paste: C:\Windows\System32\bash.exe -c 'while [ true ]; do sudo /usr/sbin/cron -f; done'
It does not work.
How can I run a service in WSL? Or is there a way to use Windows?
Because in Windows I have tried the following: using https://github.com/Microsoft/WSL/issues/612
Run: When the computer starts,
Action: Start a program,
Program: c:\Windows\system32\bash.exe,
Arguments: -c "sudo /xmr-stak-cpu/bin/xmr-stak-cpu -D"
Start in: /usr/local/src/
And as you guessed, it still does not work. Frankly I wish I could do this in WSL because it is my preferred way but I will take any way.
I have a workstation with 96GB RAM and as such I will prefer to use this as the dual Linux/Windows machine and not my puny laptop.
I have tasks on both Linux and Windows and really need/prefer the Linux solution provided by Windows.
I have reviewed the other question and there is a package called Mysys that seems to provide a solution however this departs from the integration provided by Microsoft which was a great way forward.
Best Answer
In WSL, the linux distributions run only after a first linux command is invoked. If you wanna run a linux deamon (a service) you must configure the server in linux and run any command in that linux distribution.
There are many pages and answers that show how to create a script to start a WSL linux when your computer starts.
commands.txt
with custom linux commands.gpedit.msc
command) or a scheduled task that run at startup (using thetaskschd.msc
).NOTE: If your program must be executed with
sudo
, you must configure it to start the program without asking a password.visudo
in the linux and add a line at the end of the file:%sudo ALL=NOPASSWD: /full/path/to/program