My first step would be to disable any toolbars, and any add-ons, that cause these type of problems. I would then run a good cleaner to clean out BHO...
Microsoft killed our desktop gadgets so that they could dangle them in front of us with windows 8 metro apps, said they were a 'security risk.' guess...
Our local libraries hold weekly starter classes in computer usage, senior citizens are the fastest growing block of computer users in this country......