IE7: Favorites and Auto-Launch Problems

I recently downloaded IE7. Everything seemed fine, but I noticed two problems:

1. When I select a web site from my Start > Favorites, a blank IE7 browser Window opens. After 5-10 seconds, another IE7 browser window opens with the site selected. Nothing can be done in the original IE7 browser Window; doing anything there just opens another window. At first I thought this was related to my Google toolbar, which was not selected as an IE toolbar. The original IE7 window did not show the toolbar, but the "˜spawned’ IE7 windows did. (Since IE7 allows Google as the primary search and has its own pop-up blocker, the toolbar really doesn't seem to be needed.) I uninstalled the Google toolbar, but the problem continued.
2. Links in e-mails no longer automatically launch IE7. The status bar shows the link, but selecting them "“ even with a CTRL+Click "“ doesn’t work. I had to open IE7, then cut and paste the link in.

I sent an e-mail to Microsoft on this, but got the usual non-responses. Eventually I just uninstalled IE7. IE6 came back by itself.

Anyone else experiencing these problems of Favorites and failed auto-launching?

The Duffer

 

Installing IE7

I probably didn't do everything recommended, e.g. turning off automatic updates and anti-malware programs.

I'm wondering now if this doesn't have something to do with the Google toolbar. I do not have the latest version; I found the features (like the big green Setup button) irritating so have been using the previous one. As noted, the "spawned" IE7 windows from a Favorites selection had the Google toolbar up even when I had it unselected (but installed). But I thought I totally uninstalled the toolbar and still had the problem. Maybe I didn't restart to have it kick it. With IE7, seems like you really don't need the Google toolbar.

Guess I need to try, try again. Thanks.