None taken;
OS: Windows 7.6
Processor: Intel i5 6500 CPU @ 3.20GHz
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: GTX 960 with 4GB VRAM
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 1trb ssd 4trb 750rpm HD
screen resolution: 1920 X 1080
I just get offended by kids who've been at this 2 years and think they know ALL.
I've been playing Wild Hunt with additions since it came out. And I played "Everquest" with my kids in 1999 when it came out in my computer shop in town. And many games in between. Dissapointment is the word. I hate having to WORK at playing a game.

ok so it sounds to me like you have it set to windowed mod but something else has priority preventing the game from using the GPU.
Close/minimize anything nonessential to game play
Make an exception in your antivirus and firewall for the game to run/auto update

then try running the game again. if it doesn't appear full screen after 3 seconds pull up the task manager and see what else is running consuming memory/CPU. if it's nothing Obvious it could be something a simple as your settings for the game, Have you been able to play it at all?

Since you are basically playing with the same configuration I did (even though I only have 2GB VRAM) there should not be any problems performance wise.

Some stupid suggestions that you probably already tried:
1) ALT+TAB into the game (you said that it is starting but only in tray - maybe you could switch the process - although I guess you already tried this).
2) Turn off Aero.
3) Reinstall the game (you probably tried this already as well but if not it'S woth a try).