Minecraft File Path on Windows 8?

I'm having a bit of trouble with my Minecraft file path. As I look through the internet and my friend sends me his minecraft worlds to play on, I find that my Minecraft File Path is different than others. People are saying that I need to use Users > (my username) > AppData > .mincraft > saves. When I find Minecraft, my file path is Documents > My Curse > Curse Client > Minecraft > and then Minecraft PTRData and SavedGames. This is different from others. I also tried using this path to apply a skin (instead of doing it the easy way because I'm an idiot). Could this because of when I unzipped the file? When I search.minecraft, the only place it is is in the MInecraft PTRData. I paid for Minecraft. This is a new computer. Can anybody give me clear directions on how to install Minecraft correctly, with the correct file path. I can get to the Minecraft page and download Minecraft.exe and launch, but, there should be more. I'm pretty sure that this was not a problem on my old computer. As this is a new computer that I'm running Windows 8 on. Could that have anything to do with it? My old computer used Windows 7. Really, the thing is is that anything I do to manipulate and modify these files fails. They don't seem to directly connect to Minecraft. Also, as you help me with this, please give me instructions on how to prevent this from deleting my minecraft game saves. This maybe be an easy problem to fix. But pleae help, Thanks!