All programs open in minimized form

Three options.

1: Grab the corners of the window and drag it to full screen size. Do not use Maximize. Close all other windows first via the Taskbar and this one last. Windows will remember the size used of the last window closed the next time you open the program.  

2: Whichever shortcut you are using to launch the window, right click it and select properties. Under the 'Run' drop-down, choose "Maximized".

3: [For IE Only]  IE New Window Maximizer
http://www.majorgeeks.com/IE_New_Window_Maximizer_d1746.html 

Hi Lee,

Do you want all programs to open in maximized state?

Method 1:

In Windows 7, applications remember the previous status of window size. If you run an application and set it to maximized then close, the next time you open it automatically in a maximized window.

Method 2:

You can force a program to run in maximized state.

a.       Right-click the program's shortcut and then click Properties.

b.      This will open the Properties window with the Shortcut tab already selected. Click the drop-down menu next to Run and choose Maximized.

c.       Click OK.

Hope this helps.