Windows XP forum: Can't double-click desktop items in XP

It sounds like you could have a virus or other malware. Get your antivirus program up to date and boot into Safe Mode. Note that some viruses can hide themselves from your antivirus program in normal mode, so you really need to scan in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode when you first power up, hit F8 about once a second until you get the menu and select Safe Mode. Then run a full system scan.
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Microsoft has suggestions and offerings at
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/how-do-I-remove-a-computer-virus
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Forum moderator Keith has some suggestions along this line at
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/windows-explorer-has-stopped-working/6ab02526-5071-4dcc-895f-d90202bad8b3
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If that fixes it, fine. If not, use System Restore to go back to a date prior to the beginning of the problem. To run System Restore, click Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore. Click the box that says Show more restore points.
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You can check for corrupted system files. Open an administrator command prompt and run SFC if the above doesn't help. Click START, then type CMD in the search box, right-click CMD.EXE and click Run as administrator. Then from the command prompt type sfc /scannow.
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Finally if all else fails, you can check the rather cryptic system event log. To do so click Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Event Viewer. Once in Event Viewer click on the system log and scroll through the entries looking for those flagged "error" to see if you can find hints as to where the problem could be.
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I hope this helps. Good luck.

If not, please follow the instructions below:

Go to the link below and scroll down to line 12 (left column). RIGHT click on "EXE (lnk and regfile) Fix for Windows XP", choose "Save Target As " or "Save Link As", to download a reg file fix. Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it or right click it and choose "merge" and answer yes to the import prompt.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Or...

Click on the link below, then look to the "LNK (Shortcut) File Association Fix", and download the .zip file to your computer desktop.. Once there, unzip the file, then double click on the "linkfile_fix.reg" file that is inside, choose "OK/Yes, when it asks "Are you sure?".. Restart the computer.. It should now run those problem programs and desktop icons.

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm


Hope this helps.

Grif

For all versions of of Windows 95 and later, IE is needed for easily maintaining and installing the latest Microsoft Security software fixes and updates. If it is not running or not installed properly, you end up with a crippled system such as you are now seeing. If IE is not working, then securing and maintaining your system is much more difficult that it needs to be.

Since Win 95, the IE Microsoft browser is integrated into Windows and cannot be removed without some damage to the operating system.

Both wpgwpg and Grif offer useful and constructive advice to help repair the damage already done by malware. Shortcuts that do not work anymore is one such symptom. Damaged IE is another.

Apply either or both fixes to resolve the shortcut issue, then tackle the issue with IE. Just because you can still access the internet with other browsers does not mean you are now safe and in the clear with your malware infection.

Your version of XP is Home Edition, Professional, SP1, SP2, SP3?

Grif's malware tools here: http://forums.cnet.com/7726-6132_102-5098912.html