How To Automaticaly Start A Program Minimized

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  1. Posts : 140
    Windows 10
       #1

    How To Automaticaly Start A Program Minimized


    I have an old programme I like called Desktop Secretary that I am using With Windows 10. Its being run in compatibility mode for Vista SP2. The built in option to run on startup does not work for Win 10 so I am using Task scheduler to make it run automatically at startup. Is there any way I can get it to automatically start up minimised instead of maximised? Now it will start up automatically and I have to manually click on the "-" button to minimise it and then it will go to the system tray. I have tried disabling the task schedule and putting a shortcut in the Win 10 start up folder with the option to start up mimised. After doing that the programme does not start up at all. Manually clicking that shortcut starts it maximised and not minimised. Is there any other method or a way to use Task Scheduler to make it start minimised? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

    Kind regards
    Chris
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #2

    Chris Nicola said:
    The built in option to run on startup does not work for Win 10 so I am using Task scheduler to make it run automatically at startup. Is there any way I can get it to automatically start up minimised instead of maximised?
    I like to have Task Manager run automatically at start up, minimised to the taskbar. Task Manager has no options of its own to run minimised, so I start it from a .bat file in...
    C:\Users\<my_username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    ...containing the command:
    start /min taskmgr

    You could try launching your program with something similar, a command along the lines:
    start /min "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary"

    Try it from a command prompt first to see if it works as you'd wish.
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  3. Posts : 140
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for you help. In this case the issue is not actually with Task manager to start mimised. I want to start Desktop Secretary minimised by using Task manager or by another method. I apologise if I did not explain clearly.

    Kind regards
    Chris
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    Chris Nicola said:
    I apologise if I did not explain clearly.
    No, it's me who didn't explain clearly. I'm suggesting you use 'start /min' command to run you program, with a command something like:
    start /min "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary\desktopsecretary.exe"
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  5. Posts : 140
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks. This might work. In Task manager I now have "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary(Free Version)\Desktop_Secretary.exe" So if I understand correctly should I change it to: start /min "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary(Free Version)\Desktop_Secretary.exe" ?

    Kind regards
    Chris
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    I think you mean 'in Task Scheduler', but basically yes. Try opening a Command Prompt and type the command:
    start /min "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary(Free Version)\Desktop_Secretary.exe"
    ...to test that it works as expected. If you can't get it to work in Task Scheduler, then write the command into a new text file on your desktop, rename it as DS_min.bat then copy or move it to your C:\Users\<my_username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder.
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  7. Posts : 140
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks. Yes I mean task scheduler. I will try some tests and let you know how I get on.

    Kind regards
    chris
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 140
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I tried various methods.

    1- I tried adding the Start /min argument in Task scheduler and then it did not launch at all
    2- I tried opening cmd and running
    start /min "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary(Free Version)\Desktop_Secretary.exe"
    It will not run at all. I also tested a batch file with this command in the startup folder and no result.
    3- With cmd I ran, start /min "" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary(Free Version)\Desktop_Secretary.exe"
    Then it launches maximised and I still have to click onto the "-" to minimise it.

    I am sure this can be done with the right syntax. Not sure if this is a permissions or privileges problem with Win 10. I want to enter the same command as when I click on the "-" in the window.

    I will keep trying. Your suggestions are welcome.

    Kind regards
    Chris
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #9

    Chris Nicola said:
    Not sure if this is a permissions or privileges problem with Win 10...
    Neither!

    Intrigued by your problem I found and downloaded Desktop Secretary and tried it myself. The reason 'start /min' doesn't work is that Desktop Secretary doesn't open in a conventional window that can be minimised to the taskbar, rather it puts an icon in the system notification tray (much like Defender does). Ticking its option to start automatically adds the following 'Run' entry to the registry:
    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary(Free Version)\Desktop_Secretary.exe" /background

    Run this command from a command prompt, or from a .bat file in the Startup folder and it works as intended - but with one crucial extra step: as this is an unsigned program you have to click 'Yes' on a UAC prompt to let it run. The problem with launching it from the registry 'Run' entry is that you never get to see a UAC prompt. Presumably this is the same for launching it in Task Scheduler, which would explain why that doesn't work.

    This Tutorial may help in launching from Task Scheduler without the need for a UAC prompt...
    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...dows-10-a.html

    ...if not, you can launch it with a .bat in Startup, but will have to click 'Yes' on the UAC each time, whether that's an improvement on clicking its '-' each time is a moot point. :)
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  10. Posts : 140
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Thank you very much. This information has solved the problem. Now Desktop Secretary will automatically run at startup and minimise to the system tray which is what its supposed to do. In the end the solution was quite simple. I copied and pasted the following line you gave me into Task scheduler.
    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Desktop Secretary(Free Version)\Desktop_Secretary.exe" /background
    After clicking OK, task scheduler said this had an argument and did I want to apply it. I checked ok and the job was done. Please see the attached screenshot. I also note that to get Task scheduler to work I previously had to check the option to run with the highest privileges. I do not get any user account control prompt. In any case, I have UAC turned off.

    Thank you again for all your help.

    Kind regards
    Chris
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How To Automaticaly Start A Program Minimized-desktop-secretary-task-scheduler.jpg  
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