Can't open programs, uninstall or install

Hi,

Last week my husband installed Azureus aka Vuze onto our Sony VIAO laptop. He said several hours later, while he was watching a video, the computer suddenly shut down. Since then, we have found that we can't open any non-Windows inherit programs. Windows did an update, but it didn't help.

We can open documents, pictures, notepad, calculator - all the things that would have come with Windows 7, but if it is a program that we have installed, like Chrome, AVG free or AdAware, we can't open it. I double-click and nothing happens.

Likewise, when I try to uninstall programs. I tried fixing the issue by removing Azureus, but I get the message that it doesn't look like it can be uninstalled and asks if I want it removed from the programs list.

I have successfully gotten ZIP folders to open and use REG files (which is how I got ZIP folders to work), but that's it.

Anyone know what to do? We've only had this computer since January of this year!

I should have mentioned that I also did a system restore to before the install. While the computer looks as though it restored, I still cannot open programs and did receive an error message after a few minutes saying that it didn't restore properly.

The furthest back I could go was Oct 19th, which I did. The issue had started on Oct 29th.

I can download programs, but cannot run or install them, so doing a virus check or using malwarebytes is impossible for me.

Try this SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Ran SFC and it didn't fix the issue.

In safe-mode I still couldn't open any programs.

I will see how I can manage with this. Windows 7 was factory-installed so I don't have a bootable disc.