I apologize if this is a totally basic, newbie issue, but I've searched all the message boards I've found and I can't get any clear guidance, and it’s really pissing me off.... How can I get IE windows to properly shift from “on top” to not “on top”? – meaning, when I’m in one browser window, open a link from there in a new window, when I click back on the old window the new (unresized) window stays in the foreground and I can’t see the original window, only the new one blocking its way. How do I stop this incredibly annoying behavior? Thanx much for your collective expert guidance.

I am not sure exactly what you are doing. How are you moving from one screen to the next? Back button? shortcut in the tray? What version of IE are you running? To find out, click help and then about internet explorer. If you are using 5.0, the default for win2000, I would suggest that you upgrade to 6/wSp1. I don't know if that will help your problem, but 6 is an improvement over 5.

"I am not sure exactly what you are doing. How are you moving from one screen to the next? Back button? shortcut in the tray?" No no - the original window is full-screen, and the new window is not, so you can still see the edges of the original window; clicking into the area of the original window should by all rights bring that window back to the foreground, but it does not, and I must minimize the new window.

I am not sure if IE has any settings that would help you. I use a 5 button MS optical mouse and use the back button on the mouse to return to the previous screen. I also open 2 sessions of IE frequently. When in this mode windows places icons of each session in the system tray. Simply click on whichever one you wish to display and it will be on top. Many times I will have 3 or 4 different screen icons in the tray.

"Simply click on whichever one you wish to display and it will be on top. Many times I will have 3 or 4 different screen icons in the tray." Thanx, but it doesn't do it! That's the whole problem! The new windows stay on top. It's very annoying. But I'll live. cheers