Open Windows 7 and all screens to a full screen

As in my Windows Vista programs, all I had to do was to go to properties and change the open window to to full screen. But how do I do it in Windows 7? I've tried the ol fashion way by holding down the mouse and draging the lower left corner of the window to the bottom of the bottom left of the screen but it does not work. If I have let's say 20 programs and I know tha I will have to reinstall when the Windows 7 comes out, but what do I do in the mean time with all 20 that I am now using? Sugg?
Thanks
Harry