why are alla windows in the newer DC versions maximized

The short answer is that this is because as of version 0.700 DC++ using a new (open source) GUI system. You can see some entries in the changelog regarding this (No more MDI, etc..). I don't know the exact reason why MDI should be dropped probably SmartWin doesn't support it (may one of the developers will answer you with the correct details).
Btw the majority of the users never used the window minimize/arrange functions and for the PM messages you mention the new GUI has even larger tabs and better tab highlighting when contents of a PM window changes.
I don't expect it will change back to MDI in the future and to tell the truth I don't miss it at all.

Well that answers the question, but sorry to say looking at one big window of DC is gonna make DC life for me boring. As for the PM message window the problem is not for people who know about tab highlighting the progblem is the new users who don't have a clue, they don't see the PM window at all, proof of this is that as an admin, we have to unban users on a daily basis because they type in the wrong password to the reg hubs, because they don't see the PM message sent to them from the hub bot after registering in a so called meeting place. Don't mean to be a whining gitt but having the windows maximized all the time is not a good idea.

Thanks MikeJJ, that solved my question.

I agree...705 is totally unusable for me as an admin without windows.

I want to see 2 hubs open then see the mods room and PMs open for me. Tabs are unweidy.

Click once on a tab to go there - click again and you go somewhere else...mental... will lead to use of wrong window !

It seems I can no longer select a group of members and get their file lists making it unusable for me.

In my situation (no I'm not unusual) 705 is a backwards step and I will continue with 699. But how do I switch off the annoying compulsory upgrade message popup?

If you find DC++ so unusable there are some quality modded version to choose from. They also have a lot more feature for OP/Hubadmin work and some of them based on the latest DC++ code while still staying with the old GUI (with the ability of windowing).

@Nick-V
You still CAN select more users and get their list, send PM, etc just as before...and no there is no (official) way to remove the nag screen.

Nick-V wrote:
"In my situation (no I'm not unusual) 705 is a backwards step and I will continue with 699."

I'm definitely going back to 699.

Do if you like. Its up to you what version you use. Just please do not spam around this site. Thanks

Same with me, just went back to an earlier version. .705 is useless as you can't minimize the hub windows and concentrate on file lists, searches, PM etc. A huge step backwards, sorry to say so but it's the fact. And I miss the graphical presentation of up- and downloading progress.
What I like however is the two tabs for up- and downloading.

I would go back too, (I use .699 on my desktop with XP), but it won't work on my laptop which uses Vista. None of the folk in any of the hubs I belong to use .705. They all use .699 or earlier :")

Sorry to say but i feel the same and if you think this mess was a spam,then is the new 0,707 a really big spam,
going back to 0,699
tnx

My hub groups are all moving to another program. So am I.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/dcplusplus/+bug/209323