Windows 98 Help - all of my applications have turned to WORD documents

[prude64]

I need HELP!!!
I logged onto my computer this morning and all was fine, got home from work and turned it on and all my applications icons have turned into WORD programs. When I try to open the files it;s opening in a word format with texts that I can't understand. I have no idea what happened but I am unable to open any of the files from my desktop and in my start up.
Please help me.

[jdc2000]

Unless you have picked up a virus, it sounds like your file associations may have been changed. Can you open the application program that you want to use with a non-Word file, and then use File, Open to open the file? If so, then you can fix the file association problem so the files open with the correct application.

[prude64]

It appears that all my file associations have been changed to a word format, but that is only applicable to the files on the desktop and in the start menu. I am still able to access the file thru windows explorer. I am not able to open the applications in any other format except for word.
Also, I spent 3 hours last night scanning the computer. I scanned it with my McAfee, I used my Adaware and Spybot. Nothing came up during the scans, it actually said my computer was clean. I have a Zone Alarm firewall. I have no idea what to do now, like I said I am able to acces the files they Windows Exp. but can't click on any of the icons on the desktop or in start up. Please help.

[jdc2000]

If the application program icons have been corrupted so that they all start Microsoft Word, you should just be able to re-create them from the actual application program file itself in the Program Files folder (or wherever the programs are installed). Search for Excel.exe and try creating a shortcut from that for example. alternatively, you can edit each of the icons on the desktop and in the Start menu to change the settings to the correct ones. Either way, it is going to take some time. And, there still must be some reason why they were all changed in the first place. There may still be some hidden malware present.

[Miz]

It's possible the iconcache has gotten itself corrupted. If that's the case, deleting it and rebooting will get Windows to create a new one which would solve the problem.

In Windows Explorer, up at the top go to Tools>Folder Options>View tab and make sure "Show hidden files" is checked" and "Hide extensions of known file types" and "Hide protected operating system files" are unchecked.

Then in Start>Find>Files and Folders, search for "iconcache." When found, right click it, left click Delete, reboot.