You can, maybe, use Win32::GUI.

When you log the keystrokes (I understand you have that covered already) you can check the window title of the topmost window like this:

my $title = Win32::GUI::Text(Win32::GUI::GetForegroundWindow()) or war
+n("No title\n");
[download]

I don't really see the need for runnign this as a Service.

If you start the script using wperl.exe instead of perl.exe, there will be no DOS window visible.

You can also create a standalone .exe file using PerlApp (from ActiveState's PDK) and use the -gui option which will suppress the DOS window. This is better if you need to install it on computers with no Perl installed.

If what you want to do is to start the script automatically, create a shortcut in the Autostart or Startup program folder.

/J