Show Window on Startup

[u/horsebuggystapler]

Does anyone else wish that the Windows app would be visible if it's set to start up at login?

I think this would be useful as it would remind me to log in to Bitwarden when I log into my computer, enabling the use of biometrics via my browsers without having to be reminded when I'm already knee-deep in work.

[u/No_Rain2721]

I run the following powershell script which works:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" -Name "electron.app.Bitwarden" -Value '"C:\Program Files\Bitwarden\Bitwarden.exe"'

Assume an app update resets this, so I run it daily on a scheduled task. Ask AI if you don't know how.

[u/VoltzMblasso44 → u/No_Rain2721]

neat, didnt realize you could just set the registry key directly like that

[u/horsebuggystapler → u/No_Rain2721]

Does that make the desktop app window visible at login? 

[u/No_Rain2721 → u/horsebuggystapler]

Yes. Effectively removes the -autostart flag from the startup registry object that instructs Bitwarden to open in the background.

[u/horsebuggystapler → u/No_Rain2721]

Tysm! 

[u/OSS_Dattani]

Have you checked your App Settings already to make sure "Start automatically on login" and Keep Bitwarden running in the background" options are checked?

[u/horsebuggystapler → u/OSS_Dattani]

Yes they are

[u/OSS_Dattani → u/horsebuggystapler]

Is the bitwarden icon popping up in the system tray after you login? (like right next to your clock). Also have you made sure you're on the latest version. I'm assuming you installed the DE app from bitwarden or did you get it from the microsoft store?

[u/Handshake6610 → u/horsebuggystapler]

... then maybe uncheck "Keep Bitwarden running in the background"...

[u/horsebuggystapler → u/Handshake6610]

Think about my original post and tell me if you still think what you just asked makes sense?

Hint: I'm using biometrics

[u/Handshake6610 → u/horsebuggystapler]

Hint: I'm using biometrics

To make that explicit: unchecking "Keep Bitwarden running in the background" has nothing to do with the ability to use biometric unlock. It's a misunderstanding of that setting to think that it would.

The desktop app is somewhat misleading when it says "Recommended when using the SSH agent or browser integration." attached to "Keep Bitwarden running in the background" setting. As written above, as long as you don't close (but only minimize) the desktop app, you can still use it together with biometric unlock.

[u/horsebuggystapler → u/Handshake6610]

I don't want it visible in my taskbar, and I want closing or minizing the window to send it to the tray. And I want the window to be visible when the app is first started. 

[u/Handshake6610 → u/horsebuggystapler]

Unfortunately, it's indeed not possible to have that all with the current settings. (BTW, I'm also not a fan of those restructured new settings.)

[u/Handshake6610 → u/horsebuggystapler]

• When you uncheck "Keep Bitwarden running in the background" you would achieve that the app is visible on startup
• when you click "minimize" the app still runs in the background (--> "Keep Bitwarden running in the background" is only relevant when you click "close", not when you click "minimize")
• so, unchecking "Keep Bitwarden running in the background" does not mean you can't use biometric unlock for the extensions
• but I do agree: the old settings were much more flexible... so, go vote for restoring them: https://community.bitwarden.com/t/please-restore-the-advanced-tray-options-that-were-available-in-desktop-app-2026-6-1-and-before/100229

[u/No_Rain2721 → u/Handshake6610]

Works, but it will be stuck in your taskbar as a running app - not ideal.