How do I keep my windows from opening in minimized when I want them to only open maximized?

Which windows are you referring to?

IE8?

Almost all Microsoft products use a "last state" feature, meaning if you open (only one) window, maxmise it, close the program, then the next time you open it, it SHOULD be the same maximised size.

Can you please elaborate on what program you mean and what you've actually tried so far?

PS.   some websites can force maximum window dimensions.  They can even lock the "restore down"/"maxmise" features.

check the shortcut properties you are using.  (right click the program shortcut icon, and click properties on the popup menu,

There you will see a "Run" drop down with three options: Normal window, minimized,maximized

note: only effects THAT shortcut

sorry if my post is what you meant by :  "Tried properties in IE 8 enabled maximize NO HELP"

IE 'remembers' the last state of its position before you close the browser. Make sure the 'last' IE browser that you close is in the position and size (maximize) that u want it to be the next time you open it up.

My  IE 8 opens up maximized every time. However, all of my shortcuts open up minimized with the single square showing instead of the double square in the upper right hand corner of the window. They are opening up the way I left them after I resized them(double arrow) and closed them.  There just not able to open up maximized(double squares).

can u share with us the URL that your shortcuts referring to? it might be that page is restricting the IE window state.

you can edit the windows registry:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"FullScreen"="yes"

but again, if you resize any of the IE browser and close it, this setting will be updated to 'no' automatically by Windows.

All of my shortcuts about 7 or 8 are all opening up in the minimized state.  However, my recycle bin and IE 8 are opening up in the maximized state.
one of my URL'S that is not opening up in the maximized state is:
https://www.redbox.com/register?ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.redbox.com%2f

in Windows 7 the webpage shortcut does not have the 'Run' options in the properties. another workaround is to create a normal shortcut - not internet shortcut:

1- create a shortcut to IE browser then add the desired URL:
"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" "www.google.com"
(use double quotes)

2- you will get a normal shortcut instead of webpage shortcut.

3- go to properties of the shortcut and select "Maximize" in the "Run" option.

Sorry, but I am not sure how to do what you are describing.  Is there any way that you could be a little more clearer?

you need to create a "New Shortcuts" for all the existing URL shortcuts that you have created previously using the step above. change the www.google.com with the existing url you have created.  

the reason to do this is - we are creating a normal shortcuts instead of a webpage shortcut. because the webpage shortcuts doesnt have "Run Maximized" options in the properties section.

specific step by step:
1- go to your desktop. do a mouse right click on your desktop
2- a pop-up menu will be display - select 'New' then select 'Shortcut'
3- in the 'Type the location of the item:' textbox keyin the following: "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" "www.google.com" 

*(use doublequotes and replace the www.google.com with any URL that you want or "https://www.redbox.com/register?ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.redbox.com%2f"

4- click 'Next' button then key-in any name for this shortcut and click 'Finish' button
5- this new shortcut will be created on your desktop
6- right click on the new shortcut icon, select 'Properties'
7- on the 'Run' option, select "Maximixed" then click 'OK' button
8- click on the new shortcut and it should display your webpage on IE in maximize mode.

I am either not doing this right or this is just not working in my particular case.  I entered "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" "www.google.com" 

and got an error from the browser scroll down in the second shortcut window. It would accept it.
I entered ""https://www.redbox.com/register?ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.redbox.com%2f"" and got a second short cut window that would not open when the second shortcut icon was clicked?
Seems like this shouldn't be this hard to attain the desired goal?

it works on my Win7.

could you kindly explain the error that you got when u creating the  "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" "www.google.com" shortcut?

i didnt understand this error -"and got an error from the browser scroll down in the second shortcut window."

i do the same step as above and using "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" "https://www.redbox.com/register?ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.redbox.com%2f"

it also work and display the URL in the IE browser in maximize mode.

Are you entering "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" "https://www.redbox.com/register?ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.redbox.com%2f"

in the browser scroll down of the second shortcut?

still no luck exchangebob?

EXCELLENT