One possible solution.

Go to Apps or Search with Apps selected. Find HP and click on it so a tick shows. At bottom of screen you will see options appear. One will be 'Open file location' and click on this. This should open the folder the HP software is in. Now you can find the HP utilities and make a shortcut to it by using the Send To option when you right-click the utilities program or whatever it might be called.

As for the test page, did you make sure you selected to print in color? If you select Print -> Print and click on Preferences, then Paper/Quality tab. This page will give you the option of color or black/white. Note: there is also an 'Advanced' option in this preferences window.

I notice Windows 8 comes with built-in support for HP media type (paper type) for the Media selection tab.