I didn't have this problem until I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1. How do I go back to windows 7. I can't even use my laptop at this point. Thanks.

I didn't have this problem

Didn't have what problem?  Are you moving your mouse and seeing the Taskbar preview?

One significant difference between W7 and W8 is how the functionality that laptop manufacturers have tried to apply to their machines Touchpads.  The best alternative is to get a real mouse and use it instead, reserving the use of the Touchpad to times when you want to experiment with some Touch emulation features.  Otherwise, see if your Touchpad is at least recognized as a "Precision Touchpad"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/touchpad

Then you may be able to make your Touchpad behave more like a normal mouse.

FYI