I found a message from back in November that may work.
Tools|Options|Reset Window Layout
Also, you may want to run VS in the maximized state and see if the properties window still does not appear.
Thanks,
Suma[MS]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
--------------------
>Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
>From: "David Richards" <davidwrichards@yahoo.com>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
>Tools|Options|Reset Window Layout