Howdy Dawn:
Okay.. First, right click on the icon on your Desktop and select "Properties"..
Now, Click on the "ShortCut" tab and look about 2/3 down the box to "Run".. Set that to "Maximised".. apply and okay out..
Now, start IE and open a link. Once the link has opened, go to File>Close and close the ORIGINAL window.
Use your mouse cursor now to drag the sides plus top and bottom to the edges of your screen. Once that is done, use the File>close command to close that window.
Now, start IE again..it should open maximised. Now, click on a link and it should open full screen as well.
Murray