Why can't I print a chart from a windows service using NetworkService account?

Question

I have a C# windows service which is running under the NetworkService account. It occasionally needs to print a Chart object which I do by simply calling:

chart.Printing.Print(false); // suppress the Printer Dialog

The weird thing is it seems works fine running as a console application.

The only way it will work is if I run the service under a local admin account.

Answer 1

You probably needed access granted for System.Drawing.Printing.PrintingPermission . Reading the documentation , you find the following:

Classes within the System.Drawing.Printing namespace are not supported for use within a Windows service or ASP.NET application or service. Attempting to use these classes from within one of these application types may produce unexpected problems, such as diminished service performance and run-time exceptions.