When you install Elements, you will have AI and elements as two separate programs. If you try to run from your existing Ai icon - of course you will get Ai, You need to run from the Elements 7 icon.
Cubase Ai is free software, you will not get much support from free software - that is the nature of free things.
You can download a free 30 day unrestricted demo version of Elements, so why are you so keen to give Steinberg your money so quick if you were experiencing that much difficulty?