I can't minimize the game with Alt-Tab or the Windows key, holding down Alt-Tab actually just pauses the game, until I let go. I can however minimize it by opening task manager, right clicking on skyrim and clicking minimize, but when I open it back up it's just a black screen, thus making me minimize it again to fix it.

Is this normal or am I the only the with this "problem"?

Well I can tell you this. After minimizing Skyrim, when I try to return, I will see a black window on windows 7. If I then Press Crtl-Alt-Del and select cancel from the menu, Skyrim reappears as normal. See if that works for you.

I can't do this either.

I always do it like this: before playing Skyrim, I open an empty text file and leave it open. Then play Skyrim. Alt/Tab is made to switch between files, so you need at least 2 things active running.
Now when Alt/Tab in Skyrim, choose the empty text file and your back at your desktop. When wanting to go back to Skyrim, you actually have to use Alt/Tab on Skyrim twice. Don't know why but only then you return to the game.

^This...will work every single time...

Yep, I just usually keep core temp or msi afterburner open, does the trick.

... anyway, I don't need it.

Yep, I can alt-tab if I leave something open, thanks guys.

It's odd with skyrim but here's how you do it.

To alt tab out, first ctrl alt delete, then alt tab. Works.
To go back in the game you alt tab, then you alt tab again. Works.