OpenDNS Forums - DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

outspoken2 — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:06:31 +0000

Love DNS Crypt (Windows).

Problem is that the UAC Prompt on boot is a little annoying.
If it runs as a service, then that will go away.

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

rotblitz — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:33:34 +0000

No problem. Create a service with srvany.exe starting dnscrypt-proxy.exe.

Alternatively, start dnscrypt-proxy.exe as scheduled task at system startup running under e.g. "NT Authority\System".

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

jedisct1 — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:13:11 +0000

Other tools like MakeService and ServiceEx also seems to do the job, see: http://bitsum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1334.0

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

outspoken2 — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:29:20 +0000

This is how I did it, following @rotblitz
1) Remove DNSCrypt shortcut from "Startup" folder in Start menu
2) Control Panel -> Admin Tools -> Task Scheduler
3) I created TWO new tasks (one for proxy, one for UI (optional)

Proxy Task:
a) Create Task
b) Name: DNSCrypt-Proxy
c) Change User or Group-> "System" ->Check Names->OK
d) Triggers->At system Startup
e) Actions->"start a program"->
"C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenDNS\DNSCrypt\dnscrypt-proxy.exe"
Arguments: -d
f) Conditions (Imp, defaults are not right)->
Uncheck Everything
g) Settings->
Uncheck "Stop task if it runs longer than"
Check "Run task as soon as possible after scheduled start is missed"

UI Task (Optional):
Similar to above, only the changes should be
Name: DNSCrypt-UI
User: Take the default, which should be currently logged in user.
IMP: "Run with Highest Privilages" (I feel squirmish when setting this).
Trigger: At log on
Specific User (This user)
Uncheck any option that says "Stop if it runs longer than"
Actions: Start a program -> "C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenDNS\DNSCrypt\OpenDNSInterface.exe"

----------------
To TEST the setup:
Reboot PC after above.
open cmd (command prompt)
nslookup -type=txt debug.opendns.com

Output should contain:
debug.opendns.com text =

"dnscrypt enabled ()"

----------------

Thanks to the users above for their suggestions, leading to above.

I wish OpenDNS has a "Wiki" where such steps could be added with screenshots, mush easier.

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

rotblitz — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:55:51 +0000

Just a question, what would this "Arguments: -d" be good for?

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

jedisct1 — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:11:20 +0000

-d is not supported on WIndows.

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

weakham — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 19:58:25 +0000

Thanks! Followed your suggestions, but, even though Task Manager showed the UI task to be running, the ICON would not appear in the Notification Area on the Taskbar, until I set the trigger to delay starting the task for 5 seconds! Everything works beautifully now! Don't have to respond to UACC anymore; therefore, no delay getting things going!

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

kschew1 — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:52:42 +0000

In Windows 7 Starter,

1) In Task settings:-
If target is "C:\Program Files\OpenDNS\DNSCrypt\dnscrypt-proxy.exe",
Only dnscrypt-proxy.exe is active.
However if target is "C:\Program Files\OpenDNS\DNSCrypt\OpenDNSCryptService.exe,
Both dnscrypt-proxy.exe & OpenDNSCryptService.exe is active as per original.

2) If change is User or Group > "System", there are occasions where 2 instances of (1) above are running on Network Service & System, in particular if you log off from one user to another.
However if User or Group > "Network Service", only 1 is running as per the original.

Could someone help verify if this condition valid or if this is an isolated case.

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

maintenance — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:47:03 +0000

1) It rather sounds then like opendnscryptservice.exe calls dnscrypt-proxy.exe, and not the other way around.

2) Sounds like an effect of Fast User Switching being enabled.

You probably want to open a support ticket explaining what you are trying to do and why these things you notice bring some question to mind if you want a direct answer from OpenDNS.

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

kschew1 — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 02:54:39 +0000

The whole purpose to take the steps as recommended by outspoken2 & weakham was to:-
1) Avoid the UAC prompt at Admin account.
2) Avoid having to key in the admin password at non admin accounts.
3) Plus have DNSCrypt function as it should b4 the change.

The conditions encountered in the previous post was something encountered when the recommend settings were put in place, just thought to share the info.

DNS Crypt to run as Service. No UAC prompt on boot for Win 7/Vista

jedisct1 — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:20:37 +0000

dnscrypt 1.0.1 can run as a Windows service.

(not released yet, I need to test and document it first, but the code is in github if you want to give it a spin)