hello: Level: Newbie Id:Cs6 Os:Win8 
i have read that Win8 is compatible with Id, Ps and Illy (i'm not sure about the other CC apps but i hope they are too)
however, while following a vid tut by Terry White ~ he directed me to click on an image and to then hold the Alt key while double clicking to open it in full(er) view but when i did this the image opened in Windows Photo Gallery
well, earlier i had gone to Default Programs and set Windows Photo Gallery as the default to open images ~ not knowing it would prevent Id from functioning or that it would override (apparently) everything else (yes, i am pretty new to OS's in general too) i did this b/c when i would go to my Pictures folders and click on an image to view it was opening in some AWEFUL program that depixelated (<is that a word?) /made my pics/images look just terrible.
so, i called Microsoft and the man that was trying to help me said that i had to go to "Associate a File Type or Protocol with a Program" and then i had to choose Each and Every Single File Type (.png, .jpeg, .tiff etc etc) for Each and Every Application (Adobe or not) and "Associate" that File Type with the Application i need for it to open ... um ... caugh caugh ... just a moment .... SCREAM!! uh, what? Really?
Dear goodness ... please say it ain't so!! please?? (lol)
so, is this really the deal? or does anyone else think i may have been directed incorrectly?
i went back to Default Programs to remove Windows Photo Gallery as the Default program but i am not seeing where that is an option.
i totally understand this isn't help for Windows8 forum but IF anyone has experince w/it and is willing/able to help me out i would also greatly appreciate any advice you may be able to lend. i do plan to go run around the net after i'm done here to look for (a needle in a haystack) help in a Win8 forum (yikes & wo is me)
oh, also the (nice) man at Microsoft couldn't tell me if i went ahead and did this rather Windows Photo Gallery would still open my Pictures or not or if it would return to that awful preview program i began with in the 1st place.
this was my very 1st time using InDesign and i would really like to start learning it. does anyone know why i cannot Alt+2's click & then have the image open like it's suppose to? or even how i go about telling Windows8 to please let Id ALSO open the files the way it wants?
sorry for such a long post. i have been through a nightmare episode just ordering my new laptop and now Win8 seems to be creating an entire season 
thanx so very much in advance for your time and efforts. i will also continue my quest for answers and should i find 'em i will certainly return to share and post links.