How-to make the "Favorites" panel stay open (Score 1)

In explorer, I can open the favorites in the left-hand pane by clicking the "favorites" button -- but there is no way to KEEP it permanently open. I have to click the favorites button every. single. time.

You can make the "Favorites" panel open permanently by:
1) Click on "Tools"
2) Go to "Toolbars"
3) Hidelight and click on "Favorites"

Or you can use the keyboard shortcut [CTRL]+[SHIFT]+I

Unless you hit the close window button on the favorites panel, it should remain open the next time you start IE.