need help with a key-logging app

Question

Hi, I'm a newbie to C# (so please excuse any improper terminology), and I'm trying to write a simple program that starts with windows, runs invisibly in the background, and records all of the keystrokes made on the keyboard to a text file. The program also needs a place to input preferences. My questions are: 1. Do I need to create an executable or a windows service. 2. (most importantly) How do I pass information from the keyboard through my program and into a text file (or a database). Currently, I'm trying a windows executable that uses a Notify Icon in combination with [this.hide()] to make the windows form invisible. I would really appreciate some help for a beginner, and/or any other resources to help out. Thanks all for your time and interest