Solved Links are opening WordPad!

[nodsirrah]

I have posted this in the "Crashes and debugging forum" but it may not belong there.
Last week I clicked on a desktop shortcut to a web site, a Word document came up with what looks like is computer code.
I removed my MS Office 2000 which also removed Word and started using WordPad. I clicked on a shortcut and a WordPad document came up with what looks like is computer code.
I clicked on most of my other shortcuts and selected Properties:
Under type of file I get "DOC File (.doc)"
Under Open With I get "WordPad"
I received a email that contained a link, I clicked the link and WordPad came up, I copied the link and pasted it in the IE Address bar and immediately went to the web page.
I then proceded to double click all my desktop icons and each one that contained a link brought up WordPad.
I then opened my deleted emails, which only go back to 3/19/12, and each one that contained a link brought up WordPad.
How do I stop the links from opening WordPad?
UPDATE:
I created a shortcut for this web page, when I double click it I get the WordPad program. However, if I create a Favorite and I click on it I get directly to this webpage!
I did not solve the problem but I did find a work-a-round by putting the links in Favorites.
I still need help!
SOLUTION:
Go to control panel and find set default programs, then find your browser and select it. Then click choose defaults for this program and select all availible.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Tutorial - Default File Type Associations - Restore

Have a look at this tutorial.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html