How to actually start program minimized in Windows 10?

Steps i tried to make program (for example: Thunderbird) to load on startup, but minimized:

1. Placed shortcut under: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
2. In a shortcut properties i've checked "minimized"

Rebooted windows, it does start, but MAXIMIZED! Can't make it minimized, just like on MacOS i could set it hidden.

Your method does not seem to work correctly for me. You could make a scheduled task that runs at user logon with the following batch (.bat) file attached.

start /min "" "C:\Program Files\Mozilla\Thunderbird.exe"

You would then disable the thunderbird program from running at startup through your appdata path.

Other Options for code:

Save this as a .ps1

@echo off
start thunderbird
$wshell = New-Object -ComObject wscript.shell;
$wshell.AppActivate('*Mozilla Thunderbird')
Sleep 2
$wshell.SendKeys('(%(" "(n)))')

**Make sure when thunderbird opens, the setup email box is not there (client has been configured) and you are not getting prompted for the default mail application.