Windows Container fails to install & start service

[atehrani-statrad]

Current Behavior

I am using the following Docker image mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/framework/aspnet:4.8-windowsservercore-ltsc2022 and have my application installed and running on it. I am attempting to install and start the windows_exporter to obtain metrics.

Snippets from my Containerfile

ADD https://github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/releases/download/v0.30.4/windows_exporter-0.30.4-amd64.msi C:\windows_exporter.msi
RUN powershell -Command Start-Process msiexec.exe -ArgumentList '/i', 'C:\windows_exporter.msi', 'ENABLED_COLLECTORS=os,iis,eventlog', '/quiet', '/norestart', '/log windows_exporter_install.log' -NoNewWindow -Wait

However, the installation fails, as it fails to start the windows_exporter service.

Expected Behavior

Expected behavior is that the installation succeeds

Steps To Reproduce

Simple Containerfile

FROM mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/framework/aspnet:4.8-windowsservercore-ltsc2022 AS final
FROM final
WORKDIR /inetpub/wwwroot
ADD https://github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/releases/download/v0.30.4/windows_exporter-0.30.4-amd64.msi C:\windows_exporter.msi
RUN powershell -Command Start-Process msiexec.exe -ArgumentList '/i', 'C:\windows_exporter.msi', 'ENABLED_COLLECTORS=os,iis,eventlog', '/quiet', '/norestart', '/log windows_exporter_install.log' -NoNewWindow -Wait

Environment

• windows_exporter Version: 0.30.4
• Windows Server Version: Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.20348.3207]

windows_exporter logs

This is the log file from msiexec
=== Logging started: 2/20/2025  8:37:24 ===
Action start 8:37:24: INSTALL.
Action start 8:37:24: FindRelatedProducts.
Action ended 8:37:24: FindRelatedProducts. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: LaunchConditions.
Action ended 8:37:24: LaunchConditions. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: ValidateProductID.
Action ended 8:37:24: ValidateProductID. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: CostInitialize.
Action ended 8:37:24: CostInitialize. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: FileCost.
Action ended 8:37:24: FileCost. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: CostFinalize.
Action ended 8:37:24: CostFinalize. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: MigrateFeatureStates.
Action ended 8:37:24: MigrateFeatureStates. Return value 0.
Action start 8:37:24: InstallValidate.
Action ended 8:37:24: InstallValidate. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: InstallInitialize.
Action ended 8:37:24: InstallInitialize. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: RemoveExistingProducts.
Action ended 8:37:24: RemoveExistingProducts. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: ProcessComponents.
Action ended 8:37:24: ProcessComponents. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: UnpublishFeatures.
Action ended 8:37:24: UnpublishFeatures. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: StopServices.
Action ended 8:37:24: StopServices. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: DeleteServices.
Action ended 8:37:24: DeleteServices. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: RemoveRegistryValues.
Action ended 8:37:24: RemoveRegistryValues. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: SetKillProcess.
Action ended 8:37:24: SetKillProcess. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: KillProcess.
Action ended 8:37:24: KillProcess. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: Wix5SchedFirewallExceptionsUninstall_X64.
SchedFirewallExceptions:  Component 'C_FirewallException' action state (0) doesn't match request (2)
SchedFirewallExceptions:  No firewall exceptions scheduled
Action ended 8:37:24: Wix5SchedFirewallExceptionsUninstall_X64. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: RemoveFiles.
Action ended 8:37:24: RemoveFiles. Return value 0.
Action start 8:37:24: RemoveFolders.
Action ended 8:37:24: RemoveFolders. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: CreateFolders.
Action ended 8:37:24: CreateFolders. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: InstallFiles.
Action ended 8:37:24: InstallFiles. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: SetCollectorsFlag.
Action ended 8:37:24: SetCollectorsFlag. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: SetConfigFile_Default.
Action ended 8:37:24: SetConfigFile_Default. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: SetConfigFileFlag.
Action ended 8:37:24: SetConfigFileFlag. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: Wix5SchedFirewallExceptionsInstall_X64.
SchedFirewallExceptions:  Component 'C_FirewallException' action state (0) doesn't match request (1)
SchedFirewallExceptions:  No firewall exceptions scheduled
Action ended 8:37:24: Wix5SchedFirewallExceptionsInstall_X64. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: WriteRegistryValues.
Action ended 8:37:24: WriteRegistryValues. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: SetCreateConfigFile.
Action ended 8:37:24: SetCreateConfigFile. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: CreateConfigFile.
Action ended 8:37:24: CreateConfigFile. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: InstallServices.
Action ended 8:37:24: InstallServices. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: Wix4SchedServiceConfig_X64.
Action start 8:37:24: Wix4RollbackServiceConfig_X64.
Action ended 8:37:24: Wix4RollbackServiceConfig_X64. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: Wix4ExecServiceConfig_X64.
Action ended 8:37:24: Wix4ExecServiceConfig_X64. Return value 1.
Action ended 8:37:24: Wix4SchedServiceConfig_X64. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: MsiConfigureServices.
Action ended 8:37:24: MsiConfigureServices. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: StartServices.
Action ended 8:37:24: StartServices. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: RegisterUser.
Action ended 8:37:24: RegisterUser. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: RegisterProduct.
Action ended 8:37:24: RegisterProduct. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: PublishFeatures.
Action ended 8:37:24: PublishFeatures. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: PublishProduct.
Action ended 8:37:24: PublishProduct. Return value 1.
Action start 8:37:24: InstallFinalize.
WixQuietExec:  ERROR: The process "windows_exporter.exe" not found.
WixQuietExec:  Error 0x80070080: Command line returned an error.
WixQuietExec:  Error 0x80070080: QuietExec Failed
WixQuietExec:  Error 0x80070080: Failed in ExecCommon method
CustomAction KillProcess returned actual error code 1603 but will be translated to success due to continue marking
MSI (s) (18:30) [08:37:54:743]: Product: windows_exporter -- Error 1920. Service 'windows_exporter' (windows_exporter) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.

Error 1920. Service 'windows_exporter' (windows_exporter) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.
Action ended 8:37:54: InstallFinalize. Return value 3.
Action ended 8:37:54: INSTALL. Return value 3.
Property(S): ALLUSERS = 1
Property(S): CONFIG_FILE = config.yaml
Property(S): LISTEN_PORT = 9182
Property(S): ARPHELPLINK = https://github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/issues
Property(S): ARPSIZE = 9000
Property(S): ARPURLINFOABOUT = https://github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter
Property(S): START_MENU_FOLDER = 0
Property(S): NOSTART = 0
Property(S): Manufacturer = prometheus-community
Property(S): ProductCode = {007D0223-1CC1-402D-808D-66D89A1ECE9D}
Property(S): ProductLanguage = 1033
Property(S): ProductName = windows_exporter
Property(S): ProductVersion = 0.30.4
Property(S): UpgradeCode = {66A6EB5B-1FC2-4B14-A362-5CEEC6413308}
Property(S): DefaultUIFont = WixUI_Font_Normal
Property(S): ErrorDialog = ErrorDlg
Property(S): WixUIRMOption = UseRM
Property(S): SecureCustomProperties = BURNMSIMODIFY;BURNMSIREPAIR;BURNMSIUNINSTALL;CONFIG_FILE;ENABLED_COLLECTORS;EXTRA_FLAGS;LISTEN_PORT;METRICS_PATH;NEWERVERSIONDETECTED;OLDERVERSIONBEINGUPGRADED;REMOTE_ADDR;TEXTFILE_DIRS;WIX_DOWNGRADE_DETECTED;WIX_UPGRADE_DETECTED
Property(S): CreateConfigFile = "C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe" /c TYPE NUL >>"C:\Program Files\windows_exporter\config.yaml"
Property(S): KillProcess = "C:\Windows\\System32\taskkill.exe" /T /F /IM windows_exporter.exe
Property(S): CollectorsFlag = --collectors.enabled os,iis,eventlog
Property(S): ConfigFile_Default = C:\Program Files\windows_exporter\config.yaml
Property(S): ConfigFileFlag = --config.file="C:\Program Files\windows_exporter\config.yaml"
Property(S): Wix4ExecServiceConfig_X64 = SchedServiceConfigwindows_exporter1restartrestartrestart060
Property(S): Wix4RollbackServiceConfig_X64 = SchedServiceConfig
Property(S): APPLICATIONFOLDER = C:\Program Files\windows_exporter\
Property(S): ENABLED_COLLECTORS = os,iis,eventlog
Property(S): textfile_inputs = C:\Program Files\windows_exporter\textfile_inputs\
Property(S): ProgramFiles64Folder = C:\Program Files\
Property(S): TARGETDIR = C:\
Property(S): SourceDir = C:\
Property(S): VersionNT = 603
Property(S): MsiLogFileLocation = C:\windows_exporter_install.log
Property(S): PackageCode = {F1AFFE41-7844-474A-8BC2-DE6946EF2E2C}
Property(S): ProductState = -1
Property(S): PackagecodeChanging = 1
Property(S): REBOOT = ReallySuppress
Property(S): CURRENTDIRECTORY = C:\
Property(S): CLIENTUILEVEL = 3
Property(S): CLIENTPROCESSID = 1388
Property(S): VersionDatabase = 500
Property(S): VersionMsi = 5.00
Property(S): VersionNT64 = 603
Property(S): WindowsBuild = 9600
Property(S): ServicePackLevel = 0
Property(S): ServicePackLevelMinor = 0
Property(S): MsiNTProductType = 3
Property(S): MsiNTSuiteDataCenter = 1
Property(S): WindowsFolder = C:\Windows\
Property(S): WindowsVolume = C:\
Property(S): System64Folder = C:\Windows\system32\
Property(S): SystemFolder = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
Property(S): RemoteAdminTS = 1
Property(S): TempFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\AppData\Local\Temp\
Property(S): ProgramFilesFolder = C:\Program Files (x86)\
Property(S): CommonFilesFolder = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\
Property(S): CommonFiles64Folder = C:\Program Files\Common Files\
Property(S): AppDataFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\AppData\Roaming\
Property(S): FavoritesFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\Favorites\
Property(S): NetHoodFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts\
Property(S): PersonalFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\Documents\
Property(S): PrintHoodFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts\
Property(S): RecentFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\
Property(S): SendToFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo\
Property(S): TemplateFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\
Property(S): CommonAppDataFolder = C:\ProgramData\
Property(S): LocalAppDataFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\AppData\Local\
Property(S): MyPicturesFolder = C:\Users\ContainerAdministrator\Pictures\
Property(S): AdminToolsFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\
Property(S): StartupFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\
Property(S): ProgramMenuFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\
Property(S): StartMenuFolder = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\
Property(S): DesktopFolder = C:\Users\Public\Desktop\
Property(S): FontsFolder = C:\Windows\Fonts\
Property(S): GPTSupport = 1
Property(S): OLEAdvtSupport = 1
Property(S): ShellAdvtSupport = 1
Property(S): MsiAMD64 = 6
Property(S): Msix64 = 6
Property(S): Intel = 6
Property(S): PhysicalMemory = 1023
Property(S): VirtualMemory = 2173
Property(S): AdminUser = 1
Property(S): MsiTrueAdminUser = 1
Property(S): LogonUser = ContainerAdministrator
Property(S): UserSID = S-1-5-93-2-1
Property(S): UserLanguageID = 1033
Property(S): ComputerName = EE513EF960D1
Property(S): SystemLanguageID = 1033
Property(S): ScreenX = 1024
Property(S): ScreenY = 768
Property(S): CaptionHeight = 23
Property(S): BorderTop = 1
Property(S): BorderSide = 1
Property(S): TextHeight = 16
Property(S): TextInternalLeading = 3
Property(S): ColorBits = 32
Property(S): TTCSupport = 1
Property(S): Time = 8:37:54
Property(S): Date = 2/20/2025
Property(S): MsiNetAssemblySupport = 4.8.4161.0
Property(S): MsiWin32AssemblySupport = 10.0.20348.2849
Property(S): RedirectedDllSupport = 2
Property(S): MsiRunningElevated = 1
Property(S): Privileged = 1
Property(S): DATABASE = C:\Windows\Installer\a03c62.msi
Property(S): OriginalDatabase = C:\windows_exporter.msi
Property(S): UILevel = 2
Property(S): ACTION = INSTALL
Property(S): ROOTDRIVE = C:\
Property(S): CostingComplete = 1
Property(S): OutOfDiskSpace = 0
Property(S): OutOfNoRbDiskSpace = 0
Property(S): PrimaryVolumeSpaceAvailable = 0
Property(S): PrimaryVolumeSpaceRequired = 0
Property(S): PrimaryVolumeSpaceRemaining = 0
Property(S): INSTALLLEVEL = 1
Property(S): SourcedirProduct = {007D0223-1CC1-402D-808D-66D89A1ECE9D}
Property(S): SOURCEDIR = C:\
Property(S): ProductToBeRegistered = 1
MSI (s) (18:30) [08:37:54:807]: Product: windows_exporter -- Installation failed.

MSI (s) (18:30) [08:37:54:822]: Windows Installer installed the product. Product Name: windows_exporter. Product Version: 0.30.4. Product Language: 1033. Manufacturer: prometheus-community. Installation success or error status: 1603.

=== Logging stopped: 2/20/2025  8:37:54 ===

Anything else?

This issue seems to be very similar to #1838

[jkroepke]

Hi @atehrani-statrad

thats expected. The golang stdlib does not support that context (running the exporter as a windows service inside a container).

the scenario is not supported unless it's fixed upstream.

instead using the msi, I would recommend to download the exe from GitHub and start the exporter directly.

Ref:

• Service start timeout inside container servercore:ltsc2019 since v0.17.0 #946
• Fix detection if the collector is running as service on Windows open-telemetry/opentelemetry-collector#9042

[atehrani-statrad]

@jkroepke Thank you for the quick response. I have tried to run the exe, however having issues ensuring it runs in the background like a service (are there examples?)

Containerfile snippets

ADD https://github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/releases/download/v0.30.4/windows_exporter-0.30.4-amd64.exe C:\windows_exporter.exe
RUN powershell -Command "Unblock-File -Path C:\windows_exporter.exe"
RUN powershell -Command Start-Job -ScriptBlock { Start-Process -FilePath "C:\windows_exporter.exe" -ArgumentList "\"--collectors.enabled="cpu,logical_disk,memory,net,os,physical_disk,service,system,iis,process\"","--collector.process.iis","--web.listen-address=:9182","--log.file=C:\inetpub\logs\windows-exporter.log" -NoNewWindow }

The final command does not seem to have it run in the background

[jkroepke]

You can run windows_export just in foreground and run it as dedicated container. Thats it preferred and supported way.

[jkroepke]

please check, if the following snapshot build fixes your use-case:

https://github.com/prometheus-community/windows_exporter/actions/runs/13613018234/artifacts/2676889026