diff --git a/internal/service/service_windows.go b/internal/service/service_windows.go
index 509c5f0..11e96d8 100644
--- a/internal/service/service_windows.go
+++ b/internal/service/service_windows.go
@@ -172,6 +172,10 @@ func Install(configPath string, copyBin bool) error {
 		s.Delete() // roll back so a retry starts clean
 		return err
 	}
+	// Best effort: start now instead of waiting for the next boot. A
+	// missing config (no consumer URLs) fails the start; the service stays
+	// registered and can be started once the config exists.
+	s.Start()
 	return nil
 }