You have to adjust the z-index of the items on the form... which ever item is to the "back" will dock first (or it might be the other way around... can't remember). Just try selecting the gradient form header and click the "send to back" option. If that doesn't fix it, then select the menu strip and send it to the back. If you have several items on the form, then just keep sending them to back/bringing them to the front until you get the form you look the way you want.Another helpful tool within Visual Studio is the Document Outline. It will show you all of the items on the form and their z-index and let you drag them around within the tool.