How do I create a C# program without a GUI?

Question

I know that you can create a Windows Forms application and set it to be invisible. And if I create a console application (the console window will open- and I have no use for the console), how do I create a simple application that has no GUI at all?

You can hide the console window as well with an API call. Where are you runnng this from, another aplication, the desktop. Is it a service, or just a one off do something and quit? — Tony Hopkinson, May 12 '12 at 12:03
Write a console mode app and just change the Output type setting to "Windows application" — Hans Passant, May 13 '12 at 07:30

score 24 · Accepted Answer · edited May 12 '12 at 12:51

24

Create a windows application, remove the Form1.cs file, edit the Program.cs file to remove the lines

Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
Application.Run(new Form1());

Put your own code instead, and you're done.

edited May 12 '12 at 12:51

Omar

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answered May 12 '12 at 11:51

Kevin Gosse

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score 3 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:29

3

You could create it as a windows service.

This question also has some options for running an existing console application with no console window, so you could write a console application, then write a console application which launches that with its window hidden and then closes.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:29

Community

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answered May 12 '12 at 11:50

Sam Holder

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How do I create a C# program without a GUI?

2 Answers2