Error Message

My OS is Vista Ultimate 32 bit. I am getting 2 error messages : You are missing the program that can open this file type(exe) and This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Associations control panel. Yesterday, I donwloaded Malwarebytes on another computer, copied it to a flash drive and loaded it on my laptop, ran it in safe mode, updated it and found 2 infections which were cleared. Did not help. I cannot download programs, open desk top icons. For Outlook & IE8, I have to go to the control panel. I have no clue what to do next- any suggestions ?

Thanks

Will this help?
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/233243-default-file-type-associations-restore.html?ltr=D

Rich- Thank you for quick assist but it did not do the trick. Brink also replied with a solution-Restore Default Vista File Extension Type Associations- it is a tutorial and it solved the problem./

Deane