register for a "windows explorer context menu component"!

After running a program downloaded from the internet to verify file associations, I now have this problem :-

Each time I right-click on a shortcut on the desktop and then click on "Open", a window opens, asking me to register for a "windows explorer context menu component"! I can't close the window until the countdown timer expires, and when I click "Register Now", its website opens and ask me to pay a license fee of $149.95!

I have run FileTypesMan and Unassociate but to no avail. Can you tell me how to reset my shortcuts to work the way they should?

Spent the weekend on resolving the problem, initially frustrating, but ultimately
successful. Thank you to all for your helpful suggestions.

When I ran the suspect program to scan my file associations, it came out with a
host of problems and to fix that, I had to purchase the program. Totally
disgusted, I uninstalled the program straightaway, and then, had this perplexing
problem with my desktop shortcuts. Amongst my various attempts to correct the
problem, I restored my computer to a earlier date, ran file associations programs,
ran anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware programs but the problem still persisted.

Over the weekend, I even downloaded the "windows explorer context menu component"
program from the website I was directed to, installed it and then, uninstalled it, but even
that didn't work. Finally, I deep scanned the registry and was shocked to see hundreds
of high-risk problems! After I fixed those problems, the problem with the shortcuts was
finally resolved. Boy, was I relieved! That crapware or ransomware was a nasty piece
of work, and it infuriates me that someone could come out with such a program to take
unfair advantage of other people!

Once again, thank you all for responding.