The service configuration doesn't happen at software install time, it's under the media sharing options.

I've had issues with it, however. It doesn't always run in the background by itself, and it seems to want to shut itself down when I decide to shut off the client app. I think this stemmed after I updated MM. I merely ran the installer and let it overwrite the previous version. This may have caused some corruption. I'm planning on doing a clean install, after removing everything, including the registry bits, and hope this will fix it.

It's an option under Tools > Options > Media Sharing if I'm not mistaken, not an option during installation. The MediaMonkey Service is not available for those choosing a Portable Install.

Hmmm... During the "Windows installation" phase of the latest MM Gold for existing Gold licensees (MediaMonkey_4.1.25.1895.exe ~ is this the same for everybody?), there is offered portable installation but not installation as a service as far as I can tell. Nor does it appear to be offered during the initial program run, though DLNA is. I am sure that I have seen it in the past, and perhaps I can hunt through various menus to find it...

This seems to be the case even when MM has first been uninstalled with "all" traces erased. I must be missing something somewhere.

If you install MediaMonkey as Service this is possible, yes.

Lowlander - or other seer, could you reply to this again, with the following question(s) in mind?

I want my Windows 10 Pro platform that acts as a home server to boot and make the hosted MM Server immediately available to other LAN devices.

It has been my expectation that this can occur without my having to log any user into the home server, let alone a specific one.

What am I not understanding?

(Thank you.)

Did you install the service as the same Windows User as the one running MediaMonkey? This is necessary as MediaMonkey settings are per Windows User.

Win7 PC running MM 4.1.24.1883; media library is a Synology NAS (although I think this is irrelevant); MM Service is installed & running (labelled "MM Server"); Tools -> Library -> Media Sharing is On and automatically accepts any connections from any internal network IP.
Denon AVR-S710W receiver connected HDMI to TV (so I can see the Denon menus, etc.)
Everything is wired, not wireless, same network.

On the receiver, I go to Online Music -> Media Servers... the "MM Server" is not listed.
I start MM application on the PC, suddenly the "MM Server" is listed as a media server on the TV/Denon receiver. Everything works fine (I can see playlists, play music, no problems).
The MM service is still showing "Running" on the PC.
If I stop the MM Application, the "MM Server" disappears from the media server listing on the TV/Denon.

Am I missing something? I thought the MM service would allow me to access the library even when the application is not running in the foreground.