On Windows, It is always recommended to install and run MySQL as a Windows service, so that MySQL starts and stops automatically when Windows starts and shutdown. Also, it can be managed using the services section of control panel. A MySQL installed as a service can also be controlled from the command line using NET commands (command to start a service), or with the graphical Services utility. Generally, to install MySQL as a Windows service you should be logged in using an account that has administrator rights.
This post is in continuation to series about learning MySQL concepts. In previous post, we learned about MySQL Configuration and Command Line Options. In this post, I will talk about installing and using MySQL as a windows service.
Install MySQL as windows service
To install MySQL as a Windows service manually, execute this in a command line shell, e.g.
prompt> mysqld --install MySQLXY --defaults-file="C:Program FilesMySQLMySQL Server 5.1my.ini"
Where “MySQLXY” is any service name you want to give to MySQL windows service. And “defaults-file” is the location of configuration file which you want to use for providing startup configuration parameters.
Start MySQL as windows service
To Start the installed windows service from command prompt, execute this command e.g.
prompt> net start MySQLXY
Above command will start the service and as a result, MySQL will be running into your system.

Remove/Uninstall MySQL as windows service
To uninstall the installed windows service from command prompt, execute this command e.g.
prompt> sc delete MySQLXY
Above command will delete the windows service. It will not uninstall the MySQL from your system, only windows service gets deleted. NO HARM !!
Need to be done from a command prompt with administrator privileges.
Happy Learning !!