You probably have IE running in app mode. When you're in IE, right click to bring up the app bar and click on the wrench icon. Click view on desktop to start IE in desktop mode.
I you'd rather have a start menu then there are tons to choose from.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/708472-list-start-menu-replacements-windows-8-a.html
Start8 and StartIsBack are both the best but they will cost you a couple of dollars each. They're really cheap. They also let you disable the start screen and boot right into the desktop just like Windows 7.
Here are some other materials to learn how to use Windows 8 and the new start screen.
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/TheMissingWindows8InstructionalVideo.aspx
http://marketing.dell.com/Global/FileLib/Windows_8/windows-8-ebook.pdf
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/operating-systems/50-windows-8-tips-tricks-and-secrets-1028220
Oh, and if you have a laptop you'll want to disable the app switching gesture.
Win + I → Change PC settings → General → Turn off "When I swipe from the left edge, switch directly to my most recent app."
- Dominic