Will this work? Run PMS on Windows 10 using local account and Task Scheduler or SCM

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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On Windows 10, does it work to run the Plex server using a local user account where Plex is launched from Task Scheduler? Alternatively, would it work to run Plex from a Windows service shim?

I assume I’d need to install the Plex server while logged on as a local user. Additionally, updates would need to be run while logging in with the same account.

It appears that the Plex server is designed to run under a user acct while actively logged into Windows. Services are not supposed to interact with the desktop (but can if you know how), so I’m guessing that Plex has a design requirement that it must use desktop services? If so, why? If not, why can’t we run PMS via Services or Task Scheduler; and, therefore, what specific requirements block us from doing so?

In my case, I run Active Directory so my acct doesn’t have to be a machine local acct; I can use a domain service acct instead.

PS I’m an advanced Windows systems developer. You’ve challenged me. Now please work with me on a solution.

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If you can find a way how ffmpeg (a.k.a the Plex Transcoder) can use hardware transcoding, while Plex is running as a service, you’ll be a hero!

Plex can run as a scheduled task, it can also run as a service. Several approaches have been developed and used.

I am running it as a service, but I cannot use hardware transcoding for it. (restricted user account, utilizing nssm.exe)

Others are using the task scheduler, which usually allows hardware transcoding.

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