Hello Helen Keller, Hopefully you have resolved you're problem by now but if you haven't. Maybe I can be of assistance, To Start off Microsoft Windows 8 does not support plug-ins in the Start screen and therefore Java will not run in the Start screen. You will have to switch to the Desktop screen to run Java. So if you have Downloaded and installed java Make sure you have the newest Java Version Available installed, And be sure to be on the Desktop View not the start screen or Tablet view. If your problem persist let me know.