3 programs stopped working, I think Windows updates are responsible

I have 3 programs that stopped working, they will not load up, and I believe that The latest Windows updates are responsible. These programs are Inworldz Beta Viewer, Imprudence Viewer, and Second Life Viewer. They have always worked fine for me until Wednesday when suddenly none of them would load up. The next day, Windows 7 didn't want to load up. I had to restart the computer a couple of times before it did.

I have tried system restore, but it fails every time. I tired sfc/scannow command, but it doesn't find anything. Avast antivirus doesn't find any threats, although it finds some "warnings" that it won't seem to do anything about. I can upload an image of those warnings if it would help. Malewarebits doesn't find anything.

The only thing that has changed on my computer that I'm aware of since Wednesday, when Inworldz was working, was Windows installed some updates. So I'm guessing that caused the problems.

I have been advised elsewhere that I should do a Windows 7 Repair, but the process sounds confusing as heck. A complete clean reinstall of Windows 7 sounds easier. But, regardless, if the problem was caused by Windows updates, wouldn't the problem just return when Windows updates itself again after I've done all of that? That's a lot of work only to have the problem return.

I noticed that these 3 programs have log folders. They might keep crash files if someone can make sense of them. I might be able to upload the log files if that would help.

Also, I noticed that when I go into the windows updates in the control panel that you can delete windows updates. Maybe I can delete them one at a time and check to see if the programs start working again. Is that safe to try?

Any advice on any of this?

Thanks