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1. ensure CATALINA_HOME and JAVA_HOME are appropriatly set as 'System variables' in the 'Environment Variables' section of the System control pannel.

2. run this command line to install tomcat as a service (all on one line):

"%CATALINA_HOME%\bin\tomcat.exe"
-install "Apache Tomcat"
"%JAVA_HOME%\jre\bin\classic\jvm.dll"
-Djava.class.path="%CATALINA_HOME%\bin\bootstrap.jar;%JAVA_HOME%\lib\tools.jar"
-Dcatalina.home="%CATALINA_HOME%"
-Xrs
-start org.apache.catalina.startup.Bootstrap -params start
-stop org.apache.catalina.startup.Bootstrap -params stop
-out "%CATALINA_HOME%\logs\stderr.log"

it will be an automatic startup service but it will not automatically start until the next system reboot.

3. start the service with this command line:

net start "Apache Tomcat"

4. you may stop the service with this command line:

net stop "Apache Tomcat"

5. and you can uninstall the Tomcat service with this command line:

"%CATALINA_HOME%\bin\tomcat.exe" -uninstall "Apache Tomcat"

Tomcat:Install Tomcat 4 as service on Windows NT/2000/XP is mentioned on: Windows | Tomcat