command prompt window will not run minimized

I have a software application which calls an executable (.exe) file. When
the executable is called, a command prompt window pops open, then closes
after a few seconds when the executable is finished. In previous versions of
the Windows operating system I could adjust the properties for the executable
file so that it ran minimized, that is, a box would show up on the taskbar,
but no command prompt window would open. I was able to access the properties
of the file by right clicking on it in Windows Explorer. How can I
accomplish the same thing in Windows XP? There are no properties available
(at least, no properties which affect the command prompt window) by right
clicking the file name in Explorer, and when the application runs, the
command prompt window only stays open for a few seconds. Thanks in advance
for your help.