Windows 7: Windows not allowing client side web launch?

Ive been having an issue for several weeks now where windows will not allow programs to launch web based items, ie: Acrobat opening links in Pdf's, Any program trying to open help tabs or 'about' pages, Loader screens for games not allowing to open website links for accounts, forums, downloads etc...

At the same time I noticed my menu's in all programs also changed the manner in which they opened- they cascade to the farthest left alignment instead of classic right side orientation- this applies to the desktop right click as well.

At first I ignored these as they were only annoying and I thought they would resolve themselves thru future updates- not the case.

Any help would be great- Im not illiterate to PC operation and have checked the usual culprits of my Firewalls and such- I was unable to try and back track which specific update could have cause this though as I allowed it to exist for several weeks.

Im Bumping this thread. Ive tried researching more and cant find any suggestions online other than firewall settings, and Im 100% sure this isnt the problem.

If I wasnt clear enough in my first thread- I am currently unable to open any Link to the web outside of Internet Explorer, wheter its in a preloader, fullscreen running game, any type of typcal .exe program: ie. Word, Excel, Acrobat, 3rd party software- doesnt matter its any link or option that I have to physcially click- if its accessable by a different means then it works fine. Its not that I cant access the internet- its that i cant launch it thru other programs by clicking.