How do I launch .net windows forms application with no visible windows?

Question

I have a .net windows forms application that needs to open directly to the notify icon (system tray) with no visible windows. I realize that I can do this in the onshown event or something like it. But if I do that I get a flash of the window. How can I avoid that flash? I have tried modifying my Program.cs file to look like this:

Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);

MainForm frm = new MainForm();
frm.Visible = false;
Application.Run(frm);

However this doesn't work either because Application.Run() makes the form visible. I am pretty sure there is an easy answer that I am missing. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

There's an overload for Application.Run() that takes in no parameters, and thus doesn't immediately show a form on application launch. Of course, you'll have to manage what causes the application to terminate yourself since there's no initial or 'main' form for it to monitor. So for example it'd be your notification icon, which I'm sure you'll be able to handle.

Answer 2

If you don't need a main form at the time you start your application, here is a link to an article that describes how to create just a NotifyIcon.