Thanks Gildas. All this started just after I'd downloaded windows 8.1 so I think that further expands on Forks explanation.
Right so I'll have a look about in Settings to see if I can reselect the boot to the Windows tiles.
Really it's the task bar that wastes it for me. If I want to look at the calculator I have to minimise the page I'm on. I had a look in Control Panel but couldn't find any add ons. Will search Settings and see if there is an option to remove this in there.
Thanks.