How can I start Delphi application with the hidden main form?

Question

I have the application on Delphi with the following main form initialization:

Application.CreateForm(<class>, <variable>);

It shows the main form when the application starts.

How can I start Delphi application with the hidden main form (or on non-visual mode at all)?

Eating

Answer 1

In project source file set:

Application.ShowMainForm := false;

just before main form creation:

Application.CreateForm(TMainForm, MainForm);

Update from Remy:

You can also set it in the MainForm's OnCreate event. The requirement is to set ShowMainForm before Application.Run() is called.

Update from gabr: Main form must also have Visible property set to False

Nepali

You can also set it in the MainForm's OnCreate event. The requirement is to set ShowMainForm before Application.Run() is called. – Regimen

Is it possible to keep the taskbar icon visible? I have a login form which only makes the main form visible once login succeeds, but then there's no taskbar icon (or alt-tab thumbnail). Sorry for wanting my cake and eating it :) – Needlepoint

@DaveBoltman Instead of hiding the form just set the forms WindowState to wsMinimized. – Rabbitfish

Main form must also have Visible property set to False. – Atlantic