Completed adding "minimise on start" ability

Am able to minimise on start, or run normally
using a simple checkbox on the main form.
Maintains the setting over different runs using
a settings json file stored in the AppData directory.

HeliosPlus/HeliosPlus.csproj

@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@
     <Compile Include="IconFromFile.cs" />
     <Compile Include="IconUtils.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ProgressReporter.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="ProgramSettings.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ShellIcon.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ShortcutItem.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ShortcutRepository.cs" />

HeliosPlus/Program.cs

@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ namespace HeliosPlus {
         public static string AppSteamIconFilename = Path.Combine(AppIconPath, @"Steam.ico");
         public static string AppUplayIconFilename = Path.Combine(AppIconPath, @"Uplay.ico");
         public static string AppEpicIconFilename = Path.Combine(AppIconPath, @"Epic.ico");
+        public static ProgramSettings AppProgramSettings;
 
-        
         /// <summary>
         ///     The main entry point for the application.
         /// </summary>
@@ -65,7 +65,9 @@ namespace HeliosPlus {
             //Application.SetHighDpiMode(HighDpiMode.SystemAware);
             Application.EnableVisualStyles();
             Application.SetCompatibleTextRenderingDefault(false);
-
+            
+            // Load the program settings
+            AppProgramSettings = ProgramSettings.LoadSettings();
 
             var app = new CommandLineApplication();
 

HeliosPlus/ProgramSettings.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+using Newtonsoft.Json;
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.IO;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Threading.Tasks;
+
+namespace HeliosPlus
+{
+    public class ProgramSettings
+    {
+        #region Class Variables
+        // Common items to the class
+        private static bool _programSettingsLoaded = false;
+        // Other constants that are useful
+        private static string _programSettingsStorageJsonFileName = Path.Combine(Program.AppDataPath, $"Settings_{FileVersion.ToString(2)}.json");
+        #endregion
+
+        #region Instance Variables
+        private bool _minimiseOnStart = false;
+        #endregion
+
+        #region Class Properties
+        public bool MinimiseOnStart { 
+            get
+            {
+                return _minimiseOnStart;
+            }
+            set 
+            {
+                _minimiseOnStart = value;
+
+                // Because a value has changed, we need to save the setting 
+                // to remember it for later.
+                if (_programSettingsLoaded)
+                    SaveSettings();
+            } 
+        }
+
+        public static Version FileVersion
+        {
+            get => new Version(1, 0, 0);
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+
+        #region Class Methods
+        public static ProgramSettings LoadSettings()
+        {
+            ProgramSettings programSettings = null;
+
+            if (File.Exists(_programSettingsStorageJsonFileName))
+            {
+                var json = File.ReadAllText(_programSettingsStorageJsonFileName, Encoding.Unicode);
+
+                if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(json))
+                {
+                    try
+                    {
+                        programSettings = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<ProgramSettings>(json, new JsonSerializerSettings
+                        {
+                            MissingMemberHandling = MissingMemberHandling.Ignore,
+                            NullValueHandling = NullValueHandling.Ignore,
+                            DefaultValueHandling = DefaultValueHandling.Include,
+                            TypeNameHandling = TypeNameHandling.Auto
+                        });
+                    }
+                    catch (FileNotFoundException ex)
+                    {
+                        Console.WriteLine($"ProgramSettings/LoadSettings exception 1: {ex.Message}: {ex.StackTrace} - {ex.InnerException}");
+                    }
+                    catch (Exception ex)
+                    {
+                        Console.WriteLine($"Unable to load Program Settings JSON file {_programSettingsStorageJsonFileName}: " + ex.Message);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // If there isn't any settings in the file then create a new ProgramSettings object
+            if (programSettings == null)
+                programSettings = new ProgramSettings();
+            _programSettingsLoaded = true;
+            return programSettings ;
+        }
+
+        public bool SaveSettings()
+        {
+
+            try
+            {
+                var json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(this, Formatting.Indented, new JsonSerializerSettings
+                {
+                    NullValueHandling = NullValueHandling.Include,
+                    DefaultValueHandling = DefaultValueHandling.Populate,
+                    TypeNameHandling = TypeNameHandling.Auto
+
+                });
+
+
+                if (!string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(json))
+                {
+                    File.WriteAllText(_programSettingsStorageJsonFileName, json, Encoding.Unicode);
+                    return true;
+                }
+            }
+            catch (FileNotFoundException ex)
+            {
+                Console.WriteLine($"ProgramSettings/SaveSettings exception 1: {ex.Message}: {ex.StackTrace} - {ex.InnerException}");
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Console.WriteLine($"Unable to save Program Settings JSON file {_programSettingsStorageJsonFileName}: " + ex.Message);
+            }
+
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        #endregion
+    }
+
+
+}

HeliosPlus/UIForms/MainForm.Designer.cs

@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@
             this.shortcutToolStripSeparator = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator();
             this.toolStripSeparator1 = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator();
             this.exitToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
+            this.cb_minimise_notification_area = new System.Windows.Forms.CheckBox();
             ((System.ComponentModel.ISupportInitialize)(this.splitContainer1)).BeginInit();
             this.splitContainer1.Panel1.SuspendLayout();
             this.splitContainer1.Panel2.SuspendLayout();
@@ -72,6 +73,7 @@
             // 
             // splitContainer1.Panel2
             // 
+            this.splitContainer1.Panel2.Controls.Add(this.cb_minimise_notification_area);
             this.splitContainer1.Panel2.Controls.Add(this.lbl_version);
             this.splitContainer1.Panel2.Controls.Add(this.btn_setup_game_shortcuts);
             this.splitContainer1.Panel2.Controls.Add(this.btn_exit);
@@ -211,6 +213,14 @@
             resources.ApplyResources(this.exitToolStripMenuItem, "exitToolStripMenuItem");
             this.exitToolStripMenuItem.Click += new System.EventHandler(this.exitToolStripMenuItem_Click);
             // 
+            // cb_minimise_notification_area
+            // 
+            resources.ApplyResources(this.cb_minimise_notification_area, "cb_minimise_notification_area");
+            this.cb_minimise_notification_area.ForeColor = System.Drawing.Color.White;
+            this.cb_minimise_notification_area.Name = "cb_minimise_notification_area";
+            this.cb_minimise_notification_area.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
+            this.cb_minimise_notification_area.CheckedChanged += new System.EventHandler(this.cb_minimise_notification_area_CheckedChanged);
+            // 
             // MainForm
             // 
             resources.ApplyResources(this, "$this");
@@ -255,5 +265,6 @@
         private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator shortcutToolStripSeparator;
         private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator toolStripSeparator1;
         private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem exitToolStripMenuItem;
+        private System.Windows.Forms.CheckBox cb_minimise_notification_area;
     }
 }

HeliosPlus/UIForms/MainForm.cs

@@ -27,11 +27,26 @@ namespace HeliosPlus.UIForms
             btn_setup_game_shortcuts.Parent = splitContainer1.Panel2;
             lbl_version.Text = string.Format(lbl_version.Text, Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetName().Version);
             notifyIcon.Visible = true;
-            // Make the form show
-            allowVisible = true;
-            // Close the application when the form is closed
-            allowClose = true;
             RefreshNotifyIconMenus();
+
+            if (Program.AppProgramSettings.MinimiseOnStart) 
+            {
+                // Make the form minimised on start 
+                allowVisible = false;
+                // Hide the application to notification area when the form is closed
+                allowClose = false;
+                cb_minimise_notification_area.Checked = true;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // Make the form show to the user on startup
+                allowVisible = true;
+                // Really close the application when the form is closed
+                allowClose = true;
+                cb_minimise_notification_area.Checked = false;
+            }
+
+
         }
 
         protected override void SetVisibleCore(bool value)
@@ -149,5 +164,27 @@ namespace HeliosPlus.UIForms
             allowClose = true;
             Application.Exit();
         }
+
+        private void cb_minimise_notification_area_CheckedChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
+        {            
+            if (cb_minimise_notification_area.Checked)
+            {
+                // Make the form minimised on start 
+                allowVisible = false;
+                // Hide the application to notification area when the form is closed
+                allowClose = false;
+                // Enable the MinimiseOnStart setting
+                Program.AppProgramSettings.MinimiseOnStart = true;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // Make the form show to the user on startup
+                allowVisible = true;
+                // Really close the application when the form is closed
+                allowClose = true;
+                // Disable the MinimiseOnStart setting
+                Program.AppProgramSettings.MinimiseOnStart = false;
+            }
+        }
     }
 }

HeliosPlus/UIForms/MainForm.resx

@@ -10725,6 +10725,42 @@
   <data name="&gt;&gt;splitContainer1.Panel1.ZOrder" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>0</value>
   </data>
+  <data name="cb_minimise_notification_area.Anchor" type="System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles, System.Windows.Forms">
+    <value>Bottom, Left, Right</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="cb_minimise_notification_area.AutoSize" type="System.Boolean, mscorlib">
+    <value>True</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="cb_minimise_notification_area.Font" type="System.Drawing.Font, System.Drawing">
+    <value>Microsoft Sans Serif, 9.75pt</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="cb_minimise_notification_area.ImeMode" type="System.Windows.Forms.ImeMode, System.Windows.Forms">
+    <value>NoControl</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="cb_minimise_notification_area.Location" type="System.Drawing.Point, System.Drawing">
+    <value>245, 352</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="cb_minimise_notification_area.Size" type="System.Drawing.Size, System.Drawing">
+    <value>296, 20</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="cb_minimise_notification_area.TabIndex" type="System.Int32, mscorlib">
+    <value>5</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="cb_minimise_notification_area.Text" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Start HeliosPlus minimised in notification area</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="&gt;&gt;cb_minimise_notification_area.Name" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>cb_minimise_notification_area</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="&gt;&gt;cb_minimise_notification_area.Type" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>System.Windows.Forms.CheckBox, System.Windows.Forms, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="&gt;&gt;cb_minimise_notification_area.Parent" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>splitContainer1.Panel2</value>
+  </data>
+  <data name="&gt;&gt;cb_minimise_notification_area.ZOrder" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>0</value>
+  </data>
   <data name="lbl_version.AutoSize" type="System.Boolean, mscorlib">
     <value>True</value>
   </data>
@@ -10732,7 +10768,7 @@
     <value>Microsoft Sans Serif, 9.75pt</value>
   </data>
   <data name="lbl_version.Location" type="System.Drawing.Point, System.Drawing">
-    <value>12, 355</value>
+    <value>12, 353</value>
   </data>
   <data name="lbl_version.Size" type="System.Drawing.Size, System.Drawing">
     <value>25, 16</value>
@@ -10756,7 +10792,7 @@
     <value>splitContainer1.Panel2</value>
   </data>
   <data name="&gt;&gt;lbl_version.ZOrder" xml:space="preserve">
-    <value>0</value>
+    <value>1</value>
   </data>
   <data name="btn_setup_game_shortcuts.Anchor" type="System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles, System.Windows.Forms">
     <value>None</value>
@@ -10768,7 +10804,7 @@
     <value>Microsoft Sans Serif, 21.75pt</value>
   </data>
   <data name="btn_setup_game_shortcuts.Location" type="System.Drawing.Point, System.Drawing">
-    <value>212, 180</value>
+    <value>212, 182</value>
   </data>
   <data name="btn_setup_game_shortcuts.Size" type="System.Drawing.Size, System.Drawing">
     <value>360, 50</value>
@@ -10789,7 +10825,7 @@
     <value>splitContainer1.Panel2</value>
   </data>
   <data name="&gt;&gt;btn_setup_game_shortcuts.ZOrder" xml:space="preserve">
-    <value>1</value>
+    <value>2</value>
   </data>
   <data name="btn_exit.Anchor" type="System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles, System.Windows.Forms">
     <value>Bottom, Right</value>
@@ -10797,8 +10833,11 @@
   <data name="btn_exit.FlatStyle" type="System.Windows.Forms.FlatStyle, System.Windows.Forms">
     <value>Flat</value>
   </data>
+  <data name="btn_exit.ImeMode" type="System.Windows.Forms.ImeMode, System.Windows.Forms">
+    <value>NoControl</value>
+  </data>
   <data name="btn_exit.Location" type="System.Drawing.Point, System.Drawing">
-    <value>698, 347</value>
+    <value>698, 350</value>
   </data>
   <data name="btn_exit.Size" type="System.Drawing.Size, System.Drawing">
     <value>75, 23</value>
@@ -10819,7 +10858,7 @@
     <value>splitContainer1.Panel2</value>
   </data>
   <data name="&gt;&gt;btn_exit.ZOrder" xml:space="preserve">
-    <value>2</value>
+    <value>3</value>
   </data>
   <data name="pb_game_shortcut.Dock" type="System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle, System.Windows.Forms">
     <value>Fill</value>
@@ -63104,7 +63143,7 @@
     <value>splitContainer1.Panel2</value>
   </data>
   <data name="&gt;&gt;pb_game_shortcut.ZOrder" xml:space="preserve">
-    <value>3</value>
+    <value>4</value>
   </data>
   <data name="&gt;&gt;splitContainer1.Panel2.Name" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>splitContainer1.Panel2</value>

HeliosPlus/UIForms/ShortcutForm.Designer.cs

@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ namespace HeliosPlus.UIForms
             this.lbl_profile_shown_subtitle = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
             this.lbl_profile_shown = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
             this.ilv_saved_profiles = new Manina.Windows.Forms.ImageListView();
-            this.dv_profile = new HeliosPlus.Shared.UserControls.DisplayView();
             this.tabp_before = new System.Windows.Forms.TabPage();
             this.pnl_start_program4 = new System.Windows.Forms.Panel();
             this.cb_start_program4 = new System.Windows.Forms.CheckBox();
@@ -113,6 +112,7 @@ namespace HeliosPlus.UIForms
             this.lbl_title = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
             this.lbl_shortcut_name = new System.Windows.Forms.Label();
             this.cb_autosuggest = new System.Windows.Forms.CheckBox();
+            this.dv_profile = new HeliosPlus.Shared.UserControls.DisplayView();
             this.tabc_shortcut.SuspendLayout();
             this.tabp_display.SuspendLayout();
             this.tabp_before.SuspendLayout();
@@ -253,21 +253,6 @@ namespace HeliosPlus.UIForms
             this.ilv_saved_profiles.View = Manina.Windows.Forms.View.HorizontalStrip;
             this.ilv_saved_profiles.ItemClick += new Manina.Windows.Forms.ItemClickEventHandler(this.ilv_saved_profiles_ItemClick);
             // 
-            // dv_profile
-            // 
-            this.dv_profile.BackColor = System.Drawing.Color.DimGray;
-            this.dv_profile.BorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.BorderStyle.FixedSingle;
-            this.dv_profile.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Consolas", 50F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Regular, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, ((byte)(0)));
-            this.dv_profile.ForeColor = System.Drawing.Color.MidnightBlue;
-            this.dv_profile.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
-            this.dv_profile.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(18);
-            this.dv_profile.Name = "dv_profile";
-            this.dv_profile.PaddingX = 100;
-            this.dv_profile.PaddingY = 100;
-            this.dv_profile.Profile = null;
-            this.dv_profile.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(1082, 467);
-            this.dv_profile.TabIndex = 23;
-            // 
             // tabp_before
             // 
             this.tabp_before.BackColor = System.Drawing.Color.Black;
@@ -1085,6 +1070,21 @@ namespace HeliosPlus.UIForms
             this.cb_autosuggest.UseVisualStyleBackColor = true;
             this.cb_autosuggest.CheckedChanged += new System.EventHandler(this.cb_autosuggest_CheckedChanged);
             // 
+            // dv_profile
+            // 
+            this.dv_profile.BackColor = System.Drawing.Color.DimGray;
+            this.dv_profile.BorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.BorderStyle.FixedSingle;
+            this.dv_profile.Font = new System.Drawing.Font("Consolas", 50F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Regular, System.Drawing.GraphicsUnit.Point, ((byte)(0)));
+            this.dv_profile.ForeColor = System.Drawing.Color.MidnightBlue;
+            this.dv_profile.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
+            this.dv_profile.Margin = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(18);
+            this.dv_profile.Name = "dv_profile";
+            this.dv_profile.PaddingX = 100;
+            this.dv_profile.PaddingY = 100;
+            this.dv_profile.Profile = null;
+            this.dv_profile.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(1082, 467);
+            this.dv_profile.TabIndex = 23;
+            // 
             // ShortcutForm
             // 
             this.AcceptButton = this.btn_save;

HeliosPlus/UIForms/ShortcutForm.cs

@@ -1418,5 +1418,6 @@ namespace HeliosPlus.UIForms
                 txt_start_program_args4.Visible = false;
             }
         }
+
     }
 }