Maybe someone else has had a similar problem or can help advise:

I am on a Windows 8.1 Asus Laptop with a second monitor.  

Up until about a week or two ago other than some resolution issues (assume may be my video card) all was ok with Windows 8 and 8.1 update and I was liking the new functionality (like anything new may take a few min, but once you know how things work all is good).

My problem is the following: starting about 2 weeks ago and is only with my main monitor (My secondary monitor works exactly like it should)

- I can now no longer close apps by clicking and dragging at the top of the screen.  Now I need to get to the X button however, I can not get to that X button without clicking on another application which I can only due going to my second screen.  I have tried going to the top right corner, clicking, holding, ect the top bar does not show up

- On my Laptop's main monitor I can no longer get the side Start bars to show up (one on the left shows open apps, the one on the right has the search, Share, Start, settings, ect).  

Did Microsoft change something in an update that could have caused this issue?

Is anyone else having this same issue?

Any clue why functionality would work on my secondary monitor and not my primary monitor?

Any suggestions or even key shortcuts that I can use to get to these necessary bars without the mouse that I can use till issue is resolved?

Thank you.

in the case of the AMD catalyst that i have myself you can try detect displays whenever catalyst is opened and also disable itc processing to give your Microsoft certified drivers quality control.

Nvidea has similar options but it is important to know the more you change on the windows options level and driver levels can lead to many issues with a limited understanding.