Quirky desktop behavior

I don't really know how to accurately describe the problem so forgive me if this problem is covered somewhere in the forum.

After a repair install of Win7, I have to go through some quirky behavior to open a program. Here's my attempt to describe the problem:

If I click on an icon in the quick launch window at the bottom of my desktop, the selected program appears on my desktop, say Control Panel or Libraries, but once I move my cursor out of the quick launch area, the program minimizes to the quick launch area. However, if I hold my left mouse button down and move up to the program, I can make a selection without the program minimizing to the quick launch area. Any suggestions on what is causing this and to to work around it? I also have the same problem in the bottom right of my desktop in the hide notifications area (or what's running).

Try this: https://www.sevenforums.com/customiza...ions-size.html

Ran sfc/scannow and there were no violations. Installed ShellFolderFix and it didn't solve my problem. Any more suggestions? As an added note, if I open Word, Quicken or some of the items pinned to my quick launch bar, the item will open and stay open allowing me to move my cursor up and make a selection within the app. However, items such as Libraries that I created a shortcut and pinned to the quick launch will not allow me to move my cursor to it from the Quick launch section. I have to close whatever I have open on my desktop and then the folder appears on my desktop. Hope that explains the behavior a little better.

You might want to read this and the link at the end of the article.
Pin Individual Folders to the Windows 7 Taskbar - windows 7 - Lifehacker