I'm trying to run a specific EXE file in the background without it displaying any window. I've created a shortcut but the program still pops up to show that it's running. I'm looking for a solution that allows this application to operate quietly, ideally just as a process that only appears in the system tray or task manager. Task Scheduler isn't what I'm looking for; I want it to execute silently without showing any windows.
5 Answers
If you're okay with a more complicated solution, you could also look into repackaging the app using an installer like InstallShield. It lets you create a .MSI package that can be deployed silently, but it's kind of a big project for just hiding a window.
I found a way to do this by using a VBS script that launches a batch file to run your PowerShell script. It's a bit hacky and can trigger security alerts, though.
That's really complex though. I just need something straightforward to work without it feeling overly complicated.
Have you tried running the app using PowerShell with the command '-WindowStyle hidden'? It might work, but there's a chance the program will ignore that command.
I heard about that but the app seems to completely ignore the command.
Unfortunately, it largely depends on how the program was designed. If it doesn't support running silently from the start, you might be out of luck. Some programs are built explicitly to always show a window.
Yeah, that makes sense. If the program is hardcoded to pop up, there's probably not much you can do about it.
Another approach is to run the EXE under another user account via Task Scheduler, provided you don't check 'Run with highest privileges'. This way, it won't interact with your current desktop, and depending on the configuration, might not show up at all.
Interesting! I might consider that. The program interacts with a game, so it might complicate things.