IE windows not maximized

I'm having a problem getting windows to open maximized in IE8. This just started happening. Any page I open from "my favorites" opens maximized, but pages I open from a folder of favorites on a thumb drive open small. I have tried stretching the window to fill the screen, then closing, but the next time I open the page, it has reverted to small size. Have looked in "internet options" but didn't see anything helpful. Am I missing something easy?

 

Tell us about your system and os.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/167099

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555217

point number eight from:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/ietopten.mspx

http://www.theeldergeek.com/maximize_internet_explorer.htm

 

Break_Da -- Using IE8 on computer with XP, sp3. I have tried the suggestion of creating a desktop short and setting to open maximized. Didn't work. Also tried resizing manually and then closing window using "file">"exit". Didn't work either.

In the past, when I clicked on links like the ones you provided, they would open maximized --now they open small (approximately 1/4 screen").

 

Looks like a reset of default settings in IE fixed it. Not sure if it was caused by an interrupted download from MS update yesterday, but problem is solved. Thanks to those who responded.

 

Good to hear PeterPan8! way ta go! whoop! whoop!:cool