Windows 8 help

[Buttkicker]

Having a huge step up in having a clue with windows 8 and could do with some help please

I use Android and have Gmail and google calender on my windows 7 pc and my phone
how do I get my Gmail icon on the front as a tile??
it wants me to create a microsoft account
which I have not got
after 4 hours of messing about here it seems without creating a microsft account windows does not get me very far at all

on windows 7 my wife likes playing Mahjong and solitaire with win 8 I seem to to get directed to windows store and again wants a microsoft account

adding to that on win 7 the wifes games are free and it appears a couple of quid each for the same games on win 8

also I connot fathom out how to get a you tube tile on the front desktop

please be patient I am old
thanks

 

[theheyes]

First, you might want to apply all the existing updates and upgrade to Windows 8.1. Run Windows update until you're bang up to date and then open the store app. It may need to refresh, but eventually you should see a huge 'upgrade to 8.1' notice at which point you should click it and follow the instructions. You don't need a Microsoft account at this point.

However, I really suggest getting one because you need this to download and install apps. The sign up is straightforward and you can use your existing email address. You can do this while waiting for 8.1 to download, which will take a while.

The Microsoft mahjong and solitaire apps are free from the store, albeit ad supported.

To pin a tile for YouTube or Gmail to your Start screen, visit the respective sites in the metro (full screen) version of Internet Explorer. Right click anywhere on the page and you should see a drawer appear with all of your open tabs and the URL box. There will be a star icon (favourites) - click it, and then click the drawing pin icon which will then prompt you to give the shortcut a name and 'pin to Start'.

Hope that helps.