panels either side of home page on internet

A friend worked on my computer yesterday, and has created panels either side of my home page, and I cannot seem to remove them, she has transferred my favorites to one of these side panels, as opposed to a Tab that I had. I want to return things as was, and can't seem to do so. I am a novice, 67years but not brain dead, have windows vista basic and usually get out of trouble, please help

Have you tried a system restore?
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000589.htm

Have you tried a system restore?
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000589.htm

Thanks so much, but that has not deleted the panels, It is a mystery, she took 2 seconds to do whatever she did, and I am using hours pondering a solution. 

[Moderator]

Click on VIEW - EXPLORER BAR and UNcheck "Favorites". Is that what you are talking about?

Click on VIEW - EXPLORER BAR and UNcheck "Favorites". Is that what you are talking about?

Hi there allan,
Yes I think that is it, may I ask a very dumb question, how do you uncheck, is it View, Explorer Bars, Favorites and mouse click? I apologise if that sounds hopeless, but this electronic brain, has so much more in it than I have.  Elizabeth

[Moderator]

Yes, if there is a checkmark next to it just click on it to uncheck it.

Thanks a lot Allan. I am sure that I will have other things to ask down the track. What a great site!!!!!

[Moderator]

You're welcome