Programs won't Load

I first noticed my problem when I opened the Start menu and was missing Run, Search, and Help, they just disappeared. I tried to highlight programs and nothing happened, "Programs" was higlighted but would not expand. Also when I double-click on folders on the desktop, nothing happens, I have to right click then command open. For example, Windows Media Player will not open when I double-click. I can only open it if I command it from the right-click but then my music will not play anyway, almost like I'm missing a plug-in or something. I have tried reloading but still the same thing.
If anyone else has experienced these problems, let me know how to cure them. I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks.

 

The first thing I'd suspect is a virus infection. Starting with PrettyPark in 1999 and moving right along to SoBig and Yaha in recent times, virus infections can certainly cause this.

Try running a scan with an online scanner. RAV is free and will not only find them but will fix what it finds (and some online scanners won't fix).

 

That's funny cause my first thought was that this person was logged on using a limited account or someone has customized the start menu using some of the advanced features.

All of these described symptoms can be recreated or produced by the advanced enables or disables.

See:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/start_menu.htm