diff --git a/desktop-client/tunnel-helper/src/main.rs b/desktop-client/tunnel-helper/src/main.rs
index 4974343..7e4687e 100644
--- a/desktop-client/tunnel-helper/src/main.rs
+++ b/desktop-client/tunnel-helper/src/main.rs
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ fn run() -> Result<(), String> {
         return match command.as_str() {
             "service" => run_windows_service_dispatcher(),
             "install-service" => install_windows_service(),
+            "install-service-direct" => install_windows_service_direct(),
             "uninstall-service" => uninstall_windows_service(),
             "status" => {
                 let profile = parse_profile_arg(args)?;
@@ -257,6 +258,32 @@ fn handle_service_client(mut stream: TcpStream) -> Result<(), String> {
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
 fn install_windows_service() -> Result<(), String> {
+    if is_windows_admin()? {
+        return install_windows_service_direct();
+    }
+
+    let helper_path = env::current_exe().map_err(|err| format!("Unable to resolve helper path: {err}"))?;
+    let status = Command::new("powershell")
+        .arg("-NoProfile")
+        .arg("-Command")
+        .arg(format!(
+            "Start-Process -FilePath '{}' -ArgumentList 'install-service-direct' -Verb RunAs -Wait",
+            helper_path.display()
+        ))
+        .creation_flags(CREATE_NO_WINDOW)
+        .status()
+        .map_err(|err| format!("Unable to request elevated tunnel service install: {err}"))?;
+
+    if !status.success() {
+        return Err("NexaVPN tunnel service installation was cancelled or failed.".into());
+    }
+
+    std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2));
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+fn install_windows_service_direct() -> Result<(), String> {
     let manager = ServiceManager::local_computer(
         None::<&str>,
         ServiceManagerAccess::CONNECT | ServiceManagerAccess::CREATE_SERVICE,
@@ -308,10 +335,7 @@ fn uninstall_windows_service() -> Result<(), String> {
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
 fn windows_client_request(action: &str, profile: &Path) -> Result<(), String> {
-    let mut stream = TcpStream::connect(IPC_BIND_ADDR).map_err(|_| {
-        "NexaVPN background service is not available. Reinstall NexaVPN or install the tunnel service once as administrator."
-            .to_string()
-    })?;
+    let mut stream = connect_to_service()?;
 
     let payload = serde_json::to_string(&TunnelRequest {
         action: action.to_string(),
@@ -343,10 +367,7 @@ fn windows_client_request(action: &str, profile: &Path) -> Result<(), String> {
 
 #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
 fn windows_client_status(profile: &Path) -> Result<bool, String> {
-    let mut stream = TcpStream::connect(IPC_BIND_ADDR).map_err(|_| {
-        "NexaVPN background service is not available. Reinstall NexaVPN or install the tunnel service once as administrator."
-            .to_string()
-    })?;
+    let mut stream = connect_to_service()?;
 
     let payload = serde_json::to_string(&TunnelRequest {
         action: "status".to_string(),
@@ -376,6 +397,53 @@ fn windows_client_status(profile: &Path) -> Result<bool, String> {
     Ok(response.active.unwrap_or(false))
 }
 
+#[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+fn connect_to_service() -> Result<TcpStream, String> {
+    if let Ok(stream) = TcpStream::connect(IPC_BIND_ADDR) {
+        return Ok(stream);
+    }
+
+    let _ = start_windows_service();
+    std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(700));
+    if let Ok(stream) = TcpStream::connect(IPC_BIND_ADDR) {
+        return Ok(stream);
+    }
+
+    install_windows_service()?;
+    std::thread::sleep(Duration::from_secs(2));
+    if let Ok(stream) = TcpStream::connect(IPC_BIND_ADDR) {
+        return Ok(stream);
+    }
+
+    Err("NexaVPN background service is not available. Reinstall NexaVPN or install the tunnel service once as administrator.".into())
+}
+
+#[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+fn start_windows_service() -> Result<(), String> {
+    let status = Command::new("sc")
+        .arg("start")
+        .arg(SERVICE_NAME)
+        .creation_flags(CREATE_NO_WINDOW)
+        .status()
+        .map_err(|err| format!("Unable to start NexaVPN tunnel service: {err}"))?;
+
+    if status.success() {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+
+    Err("Unable to start NexaVPN tunnel service.".into())
+}
+
+#[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
+fn is_windows_admin() -> Result<bool, String> {
+    let status = Command::new("net")
+        .arg("session")
+        .creation_flags(CREATE_NO_WINDOW)
+        .status()
+        .map_err(|err| format!("Unable to determine Windows privilege level: {err}"))?;
+    Ok(status.success())
+}
+
 fn connect_direct(profile: &Path) -> Result<(), String> {
     #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
     {