Windows 8 Restored Widnows 8 having weird problem?

Hi

I have Windows 8 restored to my new SSD.
Seems to be working except for one strange problem.

Anything that should open on the desktop opens in the taskbar and I can't expand it.

For example if I click the IE icon on the taskbar it opens on the taskbar, but I can't make it any bigger?

If I go to the Windows 8 Metro start screen I can open it full screen and it looks normal.

Then I can navigate to the Chrome download screen but when I try and install it, the next window opens on the taskbar and I can't maximize it.

So I can't click on the Next button to go ahead and download it.

Anyone have any idea how to fix this?

On another topic, my goal here is to upgrade from here to Windows 8.1 and then to Windows 10.
So far I'm not seeing it being in any rush to update.

It did do one small update but now says no new updates available.

How long should it take to start updating to the latest version?

I'm posting this from Windows 8.

Mike

PS, you really should be able to edit the title! LOL