Run Air Video HD as a Windows Service with AlwaysUp

How to Run Air Video Server HD as a Windows Service with AlwaysUp

Launch Air Video as soon as your computer boots. Ensure that it is always available to stream videos to your iOS/Apple devices


Last Updated on April 30, 2026

Air Video Server HD is a free video streamer. It allows you to seamlessly watch videos stored on your Windows PC on your Apple devices.

To setup Air Video to run as a service with AlwaysUp:

  1. Download and install and configure Air Video Server, if necessary:

    Install Air Video Server HD

    Please make sure that the server works properly when you start it normally on your desktop. If not, it won't function as a Windows Service either.

  2. Download and install AlwaysUp, if necessary.

  3. Start AlwaysUp.

  4. Select Application > Add to open the Add Application window:

    Add Application

  5. On the General tab:

    • In the Application field, enter the full path to the Air Video executable, AirVideoServerStarter.exe. If you installed Air Video in the default location, this is:

      C:\Program Files (x86)\AirVideoServer HD\AirVideoServerStarter.exe
    • In the Name field, enter the name that you will call your application in AlwaysUp. We have used Air Video but you can specify almost any name you like.

    Air Video Server HD Windows Service: General Tab

  6. Click over to the Logon tab, check the box at the top and enter the username and password of the account in which you installed and use Air Video. The video streamer should run in this account so that it can find its settings.

    Air Video Server HD Windows Service: Logon Tab

  7. Switch to the Startup tab.

    • Check the Ensure that the Windows Networking components have started box. This informs AlwaysUp that Air Video needs the TCP/IP networking stack properly initialized before it can start its work.

    • Check the Ensure that the following services have started box, then scroll down and select the Bonjour Service from the list. Air Video uses Bonjour for networking so that service must start before video streaming can commence.

    Air Video Server HD Windows Service: Startup Tab

  8. We are done setting up Air Video Server to run as a Windows Service, so click the Save button. In a couple of seconds, an entry called Air Video (or whatever you called it) will appear in the AlwaysUp window. It is not yet running though.

    Air Video Server HD Windows Service: Created

  9. Before we start Air Video as a Windows Service, let's disable the option to start when you login (and stop any running instance).

    • Start Air Video on your desktop.

    • Right-click on the Air Video tray icon (Air Video Tray Icon) and select Preferences to open the settings window.

    • In the Other Options section, un-check the Start at Login box.

      Disable Start at Login

    • Close the Preferences window (click the "X" in the upper right corner) to record your settings.

    • And finally, right-click on the Air Video tray icon and select Quit to exit.

  10. To start video streaming, choose Application > Start "Air Video". The state should transition to "Running".

    Click on the green circle to see details on the running process:

    Air Video Server HD Windows Service: Running

  11. That's it! Next time your computer boots, Air Video HD will start up immediately, before anyone logs on.

    We encourage you to edit the application in AlwaysUp and check out the many other settings that may be appropriate for your environment.

    For example, configure AlwaysUp to send you an email whenever Air Video HD starts (Email tab), or boost Air Video HD's priority to give it preferential treatment on your PC (General tab).


Air Video Server HD not working properly as a Windows Service?

  • Consult the AlwaysUp Troubleshooter — our online tool that can help you resolve the most common problems encountered when running an application as a Windows Service.

  • From AlwaysUp, select Application > Report Activity > Today to bring up an HTML report detailing the interaction between AlwaysUp and Air Video Server HD. The AlwaysUp Event Log Messages page explains the more obscure messages.

  • Browse the AlwaysUp FAQ for answers to commonly asked questions and troubleshooting tips.

  • Contact us and we will be happy to help!

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