Programs not opening.

[henthorn]

Lately it seems that programs don't open when I click on them. Instead of the opening screen I get the directory. Is there a setting that might have changed to account for this?

[rraehal]

It is possible that a virus or spyware messed with your EXE association. They often do that so the virus or spyware gets reloaded with every application you launch. Most of the time you don't notice anything until the culprit is removed. That is when you get the odd behavior.

If you go to this site:
http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/reg_files.html

You can download the zip file labeled "Repair .EXE Association". If you can unzip and merge the registry file you should be all set. Just double click the reg file to have windows ask you to merge the file. Say yes to complete the process.

[bankboysb]

And don't forget to load Spybot to sweep the machine for malware! www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

[Sterling_Aug]

Counterspy would be a good idea as well.