This is srvany-next, a modified srvany-ng that uses the command line instead of the registry to read the command and parameters. It is invoked like srvany-ng.exe command.exe arg1 ... argN. It seems that CreateProcess function does not return, but during testing, it behaved as if everything would be good.

This modified srvany-ng is better than the original (but incompatible with it), because it allows to (un)install services entirely by actions of installers without using external commands as custom actions.

Use it with WiX like:

<Component Id="ServiceComponent" Guid="XXX" Directory="SrvAnyDIR">
    <File Id="SrvAnyFile" Source="srvany-next\src\srvany-next.exe" KeyPath="yes" />
    <ServiceInstall
        Id="MyServiceInstall"
        Type="ownProcess"
        Vital="yes"
        Name="XXX"
        DisplayName="XXX"
        Description="XXX"
        Start="demand"
        Account="LocalSystem"
        ErrorControl="normal"
        Arguments='"[NETHERMIND_DIR]Nethermind.Runner.exe" --config [ConfigDir]config.cfg' />
    <ServiceControl
        Id="MyServiceControl"
        Name="XXX"
        Stop="both"
        Remove="uninstall"
        Wait="yes" />
</Component>

A drop in, compatible, replacement for the useful "srvany.exe", found in the Windows Server Resource Kit.
Written in C, for Windows XP and newer.

• Open Source
• 32 and 64 bit binary available
• No OS/2 application support
• Service will stop if the launched application exits

Solution is known to build with Visual Studio 2013, no additional dependencies are needed. The project uses the "v120_xp" toolset to ensure XP / 2003 support, and links to the MSVCRT statically.

Place srvany-ng in an accessible folder on your system. Install it as a service from an Elevated (Administrator) Command Prompt:

sc create "MyServiceName" start= auto binPath= "C:\Path\To\srvany-ng.exe"
sc description MyServiceName "My services description"

Note the spaces between start=, binPath= and their parameters. This is intended.

Now, open the Registry editor (regedit.exe), and browse to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MyServiceName

Create a new Key named "Parameters".
In the parameters key, create a new String value named "Application". The value should be the file path to the application you wish to run as a service.

Microsoft support article describing the use of the original srvany.exe: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/137890