How to load systray apps and programs BEFORE Windows Sign In?

xaccell said:

To run something before a user logs on, you have to run it as a service. Not all apps can be run as one though. But you can also create your own services.

Thank you, I am aware of that.

kado897 said:

been doing some experiments. I noticed that a difference between my two systems was the way Windows was shut down. In the case where programs were reloaded after startup the shutdown was done via the Windows Menu. In the other case it was via Open Shell.

Did some experiments using the shutdown command.

If you use the /s switch startup programs are NOT pre-loaded at the Login Screen.
If you use the /sg switch startup programs are pre-loaded.

Thank you, I am seeing the same but still curious why the behaviour is different on different machines and what the setting is.

kado897 said:

I think you need this switch set..

Yes, I have checked that setting thanks. It is the same on all systems, that is one of the reasons why I am stumped. The only thing I can think of is that a program or app on some of the systems has changed the shutdown option. I am using Classic Start Menu with hybrid shutdown enabled on some machines.

I think it may be related to Fast Start Up/Hybrid Shutdown but still checking settings and looking at these threads:

Turn On or Off Fast Startup in Windows 10
Shut Down Computer in Windows 10
Can't do hybrid shutdown, despite enabled fast boot

kado897 said:

I have hibernate and fast startup disabled in all my systems.

This is where it gets confusing lol!

If Fast Start is enabled, when you shut down it does a kind of hibernation so next time you boot some features are already on memory.
On the desktop you have two sets of icons. One set is for the specific user (C:\users\Name\Desktop) and another set for all users (C:\Users\Public\Desktop)
Maybe the icons already on the desktop are on the C:\Users\Public\Desktop while the others has to be loaded as they are on the C:\users\Name\Desktop

Can somebody confirm that the video below shows the expected behaviour of "Fast Startup" on Windows 10?

https://i.imgur.com/8TTfodU.mp4

https://imgur.com/8TTfodU

kado897 said:

I don't think this issue is anything to do with Fast Startup as I have it turned off. I have already posted how I got mine to work and that is

1. Turn on Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device... In your account sign on settings.
2. Shutdown the previous session using the start menu or using the shutdown /sg /t 0 command.

This is what I can't fathom, settings are identical on all machines, but behaviour is different. I really can't identify why some machines preload the desktop and others don't.

Maybe @Brink @Brink has an idea?