Hide programs automatically at startup
Some programs you want running from startup, all the time, in the background — cloud sync, download managers, game launchers, chat apps — without their main window popping up, a taskbar button sitting there, or another icon in the notification area every time Windows starts. This page shows how far Windows' own options go, and how gohide Pro hides chosen programs' windows, taskbar buttons and tray icons automatically after every startup — set it once and forget it.
Just don't want it to start at all? Disable it under Task Manager → Startup apps. You don't need gohide for that.
What each option hides
| Option | Automatic at startup | Window | Taskbar button | Tray icon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The app's own "start minimized / silent start" | Yes | Yes | Yes | Usually still there |
| Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Other system tray icons | — | No | No | Moved into ^, still one click away |
| AutoHotkey-style scripts (WinHide) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| RBTray | No | Into the tray | Yes | Adds one more |
| gohide Pro: dynamic selection + start with Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Set it up once
- Start gohide with Windows. gohide → Settings → Startup → tick Start gohide automatically when I sign in to Windows. gohide starts through a scheduled task with the rights it needs, so there's no UAC prompt; after start it can minimize to the notification area or hide itself.
- Add a rule for the program. Settings → Dynamic selection (Pro) → Add program rule, and enter the process name without path or
.exe— e.g.Steam,Discord,Weixin(WeChat). Separate several with semicolons;*and?wildcards work. You can also match by window title or class — see Dynamic selection. - Click Test to see how many windows match right now, tick Hide tray icon too, and choose keep running, mute or suspend while hidden.
- Click OK. The rule takes effect immediately and is saved on this PC.
From then on, at every startup: you sign in → gohide starts and re-applies its rules → the program is hidden the moment its window appears. Order doesn't matter: windows already open are hidden at once and new matching windows are caught as they appear, so nothing even flashes. The program keeps running — Task Manager still lists it.
Good to know
- Rules are standing conditions. Windows a rule hides stay hidden even through "Show all" — by design. To see the program again, delete or narrow the rule in Settings → Dynamic selection. For programs you only want out of sight now and then, tick them in the main window and use the hotkeys (Ctrl+Alt+H to hide, Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H to restore) — that's free.
- Apps that need a sign-in confirmation at startup: turn on their auto sign-in first, otherwise their sign-in window is hidden too.
- An app's separate updater may still show its own UAC or update prompt at startup; a rule doesn't click through prompts for you.
- gohide never matches the Windows shell or itself.
- gohide only changes what's shown on your own screen. It can't — and shouldn't be used to — get around workplace monitoring.
Free vs Pro
Hiding windows, taskbar buttons and tray icons on a hotkey is free (up to 3 programs, no time limit). Hiding chosen programs automatically at startup relies on dynamic selection and saved rules, which are Pro — a one-time purchase with free updates, no subscription. See pricing.