Windows 10: Programs will not start running minimised

I have Win 10 Home x64.

I cannot run programs to start minimized. Specifically, I cannot get Thunderbird and Calibre to do this.

At the moment I have these 2 programs as shortcuts on the Desktop. If I open them then I can minimise them by the normal method of clicking on the - sign at the top right hand corner.

I have used the standard recommended method, namely Right click > Properties > Select Minimised in Run. This does not work. When I start running them from the link they open full screen.

:)

 

Some programs will only start minimised




Recently I have found when installing some third party programs they start up minimised to task bar so that all I am able to see is the minature preview window on the task bar. One program this happened with was an avira beta program so I put it down to
that but then I have experienced the same problem with other programs including bitTorrent and today another software Disc Master Professional which I will use to illustrate the problem (the symptoms are the same with any program this happens with)

1) I install the program which all goes smoothly and without error

2) I open the software but all I see is the small icon and minature preview on the task bar - cllicking the icon does not open full screen

3) Right clicking the icon in the taskbar only shows the program name, pin to taskbar and close window - there is no option to restore or maximise and nothing I can do but to close it. (see right click image displayed above) With all other software minimsed
like this clicking the icon or selecting program name opens the full window)

This has happened to at least 10 different software applications that I have tried so I dont think it can be anything other than a windows problem. Some (but not all) are programs run on start up but if I select open main window by right clicking the system
tray icon I still get the same issue.

Anyone have any ideas - so far all I can do is source different software which doesnt have this issue

 

Some programs will only start minimised

Thank you for your suggestion - it is one I had thought to do as a last resort because it is a fairly convoluted process - especially when it comes to diagnosing which program or driver is causing the issue. My first thought is to maybe disable, or even
temporarily uninistsall, programs more likely to be causing the issue and see if I can identify it more quickly. The two main programmes I use to manage my desktop are Display Fusion and Stardock Fences and so I will start with those and then if that proves
inconclusive I guess I will have to move to clean boot, taking screenshots as I go so that I know which services to restart/enable afterwards.

I will post again in a few days

 

Hi, See proposed solution below (from the article quoted).

From the article below:

I would agree- another method I tried failed too.

How to Fix: Minimize Thunderbird to Tray Bar (Not Task Bar) | www.infopackets.com

- Firetray is an add-on which will hide Thunderbird to the tray, not the taskbar.

Download the xpi file, then from Thunderbird, install it as an add-on from that file.

Configure its options as you wish.




Behaviour:
When Tbird is initially launched, it creates a new tray icon.
When the Tbird shortcut is clicked, a Tbird Window appears instantly.

Further, the Mail options allow you to set the tray icon to display various forms of information about messages.

(I did a search on
start thunderbird minimized
to discover this for you).

 

A rather belated thanks for the reply. I've downloaded and installed FireTray and it seems to be doing the job.

For anyone else who wishes to try it here are a few details that are not given in the links.

1) I used 7-Zip to unpack the downloaded xpi file.
2) The download page says to edit the install.rdf file. I did this using WordPad and raised the Thunderbird maxVersion from 38 to 58. When saving in WordPad make sure that Text File is selected.
3) Pack the downloaded files (including the edited rdf one) as a zip file. Change the extension to xpi. Install the add-on in Thunderbird.
4) I dragged the FireTray icon outside the hidden icons so that it was permanently visible (I hope - I haven't yet seen what happens when I restart the PC).