Start/Stop Service when User logs in/out

Question

I have a system user that is dedicated to my work. At work I need postgres, however I don't need it anywhere else. Is there a way to start the postgres service when the user logs in and stop it when i log out?

Note that the user has no admin priveleges and i currently cannot start the service with this user account. If I have to change it it's ok, but suboptimal.

edit

During work I switch the user from work user to my normal user account. When I do this postgres should continue to run.

Answer 1

You could do this using Scheduled Tasks.

Use the On connection to user session trigger to run a batch script containing NET START [Service Name]

Use the On disconnect from user session trigger to run a batch script containing NET STOP [Service Name]

More info on Triggers here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc748841(WS.10).aspx

You should be able to set the tasks to run under an account which has permissions to start/stop services so you won't need to elevate your user's privileges.

EDIT FOLLOWING COMMENTS AND UPDATE TO QUESTION:

Use the At log on trigger to run NET with START [Service Name] as the parameter

Use the On an event trigger (Custom settings, Event ID 4647, User initiated logoff, for the user) to run NET with STOP [Service Name] as the parameter

Answer 2

Another alternative is to use Group Policies.

Logged in as the postgres user:

gpedit.msc -> User Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Scripts (Logon/Logoff)

This will require the user to have permission to start/stop services