When opening a new window, a pane will open on the left size of the screen with desktop folders listed.  Very annoying.  Any ideas why this is happening.  Thanks
malad....PERHAPS you could enlighten us as to the operating system your using ?

dl65 Windows XP- Home Edition- Version 2002click the my document folder then click the tools tab then click folder options   then click the restore defaults button........thanks Merlin_2, but this did not solve the problem.  It continues to open.options use system restore feature or re-boot hold down the f8 keep and chose the LAST good config...or do a repair of ie 6 CONTROL panel click add/remove tab then scroll down the list of programs then click ie6...and click remove...a splash screen will apppear chose the repair option...if it still does it after the suggestions...you may to do a REG repair?thanks for the help merlin_2.  the problem continues, so i must have a more serious problem.  malad........Do you not have the ability to close out the left hand pane ?

dl65  yes, i'm very good at closing it out, it just keeps coming back.Scan for Viruses, Spyware and Trojan HorsesHave you use any registry programs.......or edited the reg....if you scan for bugs always disable the system restore...i would disable it for good for what it does? that my opinon...(to disable it hold down the winkey on the keyboard the one with the windows picture one now hold down the plus key and pause break key at the same time).........so its winkey+ key pause/break key at the same time > this will display the splash screen for the device manager.......>click the system restore tab and untick the box....>windows may ask you to re-boot pc do so...now scan for the script distorters....WORMS etc.....Look in folder options. Maybe try resetting all folders to the default.