What advantage do Windows Services provide compared to standard applications?

Windows Services are designed to run in the background and can operate independently of user sessions. This means that they can start automatically at boot time, before any user has logged on to the system. This capability is crucial for tasks that need to be performed continuously and consistently, regardless of whether a user is actively logged in. For instance, a Windows Service can manage tasks such as monitoring system health, handling network requests, or performing scheduled backups.

The ability to operate without a user being logged in allows these services to be more reliable for certain types of applications, such as server management tasks or background processing, where continuous operation is essential. This is in stark contrast to standard applications, which typically require a user to be interacting with the interface to function, limiting their operational scope. Windows Services are also designed to run under specific user accounts with defined privileges that can be configured based on the level of access required for the tasks they perform, which offers a balance of security and functionality when interacting with the system.