If you look in the top left corner, just above File, Edit, View etc, of IE7 you should see the back and forward buttons. Immediately to the right of that is a tiny down arrow, press that for recent pages and your history.

owbist mentions "... a tiny down arrow ... ". Tiny indeed. A few months ago I asked something to the affect 'Does anyone know how to make it more prominent.' I got no effective responses.

I believe the IE7PRO add on has the option to make that button bigger, I know in the past I have seen something that you can do to make the buttons like they were in IE6, you could google "make IE7 look like IE6" you will find some of the tips and tricks, you might search here for that also because I had posted several links in response to a question a while back.

Also the little drop down arrow beside the forward button, that drop down on the forward icon has the back and forward history listed.

Also have you tried going to the top of IE bar and right clicking and choosing customize from there adding buttons or changing the size and type of buttons?
You might also look under View> toolbars> customize or standard buttons.
this might be helpful
missing back button

On my system, (both internet explorer and firefox) I can right-click on the left or right arrow and it gives a list the same as clicking on the tiny down-arrow. HTH.

Terry

Hey, pretty slick Terry, I did not know that little trick. Thanks

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I had already tried all the suggestions with no results. For the first time, however, I see that down arrow displays the back and forward history. Thank you for that, ravencajun. I guess I never noticed before because when I needed to see the history or get back to previous pages, everything listed there was kind of confusing. The only reason I can decipher it now is that I haven't been to any other pages today except here. Wish they hadn't made this *wonderful* improvement. LOL

Thanks again for your help.

using some of the tips and tricks and add ons can bring it back to how it was in IE6 so if you do want that feature back just look for that, I had found it using google search, and it might be in the Ie7pro add on which is an awesome add on for IE7

this add on works well for changing the buttons
NoUn Buttons 1.1.2