Windows7 wont launch programs

[CrawfordJ]

Hello,
My 4 mo old HP laptop running WIN7 won't launch ANY programs from the desktop. Has been a problem ever since MS automatically installed a Critical Windows Update a couple days ago. System restore is not working. ANY ideas?

 

[The_Prophecy]

Go into Programs and Features under the control panel, click View Installed Updates, and uninstall the offending patch. If you're not sure which one is causing the problem, sort the list by Date and remove all of the patches from the most recent date listed.