Windows 7: Help with programs files

So I lend my buddy my computer and when he got it back to me non of the icons work and the start menu icons don't work either. Everytime I click on something it trys to open it with adobe reader. I know its a open with program but I do not know how to fix it. I have tried system restore and it did not work. Can you help please? thanks.

Welcome

This tutorial works equally well with Vista as Windows 7

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/12...d-program.html

I looked at the solution you gave me but that is not my problem at all. All my desktop items have been changed to the adobe reader Icon and when it is double click it brings up adobe reader. Its the same with every single icon I have. I cannot reverse the open with program. I tried to pick different open with programs but non of my icons work. How do I get my icons back to its original source file?

So sorry, I did misunderstand. This solution should return the icons to the original

Icon Cache - Rebuild
Default File Type Associations - Restore

Let me know if either is more sutiable.

This possibly,

When you run an .exe file on a Windows Vista-based or Windows 7-based computer, the file may start a different program

also found these,

adobe acrobat is opening all programs

all my shortcuts now open with acrobat reader

unfortunately the OP never responded back in either of them.

Seems like your "buddy" has screwed up your icon (program) associations.
Just for curiosity, can you r-click one of your shortcuts, and then properties and tell us what the "Start in" path is and also the "Target" path.

Have a look here as well

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs\Set Associations

I have tired all the solutions presented and nothing seems to work. I am pretty good with computer myself but have never faced a problem like this. I have thought about reinstalling the whole windows 7 program via disk the only problem with that is my disk is at home in the states and I am all the way in Iraq. As for the properties part the path its from is right b/c I have created a new short cut in the actually program file and the target path is right on. The only way I can access programs is via run. Any other ideas?

Back to basics, start with this
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

If errors are found run a few times.

We may have to take further actions if sfc is not sucessful.

I was done for the night but had a thought. We have no idea what happened to your computer. Download and run malwarebytes, in addition to a good antivirus scan.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

so I have tried everything. even did multiple virus scan nothing came back at all. I have tried using command prompt to help but it keeps saying that the file is not there. I have looked into all solutions and tried doing all nothing worked. looks like I am seriously screwed.