Welcome to the club Richard. I couldn't agree with you more. Windows 8 is a complete abomination.
I just read from this site http://www.itpro.co.uk/desktop-software/21498/windows-9-10-features-we-want-to-see the following statement that I believe sums it up;
"So - if my car steering wheel and pedals were replaced with a joystick and were demonstrably clunkier, it wouldn't be because it was a bad desing choice, it would be because I "didn't like something new"?
I'm an IT professional and have adapted to more new items of software than most people have even glimpsed.
I say this is a poor UI not because I can't adapt to it, but because I am forced to hobble awkwardly with it where I used to run, just so that the beginners can crawl more easily"