I am another mess and turn to the forum,s expertise for help again.
I have just upgraded to windows 8 but when going through the set up stages. --- and.tried to get Internet explorer, I Was presented with a menu to sign on for a Microsoft account. This was so complicated to me that no way could I sign in properly although I tried numerous times.Is it essential that I have to have Microsoft account to get on the web???? And how can I go back to the start of the set up-- I can,t get out of Microsoft account because I can't register to do so-----hope you can understand what I,m raving about--- regards-- petjo

Yes, I do know what you're raving about - ranted and raved about it a couple times myself. No, you do not need to have a Microsoft account. You can also sign on with a local account. However, you will not be able to download any apps from the App Store without a Microsoft account.

You can select what kind of an account you will use by going into your PC Settings. There are a couple of ways to get there. In the Start Screen with the tiles, just hover your mouse down in the the lower right of the screen until the Charms menu shows up. Click on the "gear" and that will take you to some settings. Click on PC Settings and from there you can do what you need to do. This link has some pictures that might help.

Local Accounts Vs. Microsoft Account

Thanks Draclvr for saving my sanity-- I now have a local account and all is well-- when I regain my senses I may try the Microsoft account-- but not yet - thanks again-- petjo

Windows 8 has tested my sanity more than once too!