c++, startup, services and enumerating windows.

First of all, if you're able to work around AVG this way, maybe AVG is not reliable enough :confused: Anyway, the only way to resolve the conflict with AVG is the settings of this software.

The firewall issue is completely different. Firewall should simply be configured to allow your service -- permanently or just once. "Suppressing a firewall warning won't do you any good, as your application will still be blocked" -- makes no sense. After all, what are firewalls are designed for? Look at your firewall configuration/documentation.

By the way, don't rely too much on local Windows firewall. In serious companies with good IT people often switch off local firewalls and rely on company network security.

As I understand, your service is not a real Windows Service. This is the question if you should. Essentially, the Windows Service is used to keep the code working and serving all the time, in particular, when the users log off. If you need this or not solely depends on your purposes. It should be noted: moving of your code to the Windows Service will not resolve security-related blocking issues, but may add some more, especially in the latest Windows versions. To overcome this, you need to learn Windows Service debugging (not so easy) and permission issues, securiry attributes, ACLs, etc.