IE 8 -Cannot open links in a new tab

Until a few hours ago, I used the Google toolbar, and it worked fine.
I did a routine restart on my computer, as I do every day.
But this time, IE changed A LOT!
I cannot not find the right click option to open a link in a new tab, I can only open in a new window.

Because in between I had done nothing else then update Adobe reader when Windows reloaded, I did not understand.

I did a restore, the Google Tool bar was gone. I downloaded it again, and got the same problem.
This again is the first time, because I often had to do restores, and then re downloaded the Google Toolbar and never had this problem before.

I know that there are reports of incompatibility between the Google Toolbar and IE8, but this did not affect me much: I use the browser non stop all day, and had maybe 2 IE crashes in the past 12 months. I really appreciated that toolbar, mainly for the bookmarks always readily at hand, and for the spell checker, (and a few other features) What could have happened?

I like the Google Bar, but I can't open all links in new windows, I would have at least 30 IE opened!

Any idea?
I once had help from the CNet genius helpers, so I am confident.

Thanks

L. G.

System info:
IE8
Windows 7 Home and students.