I have Vista 7, Internet Explorer, Service Pack 1.
I can usually download programs, Ad-aware for instance, but then I can't open it. I'm asked how I want to open it and a box opens with options like Internet Explore, Windows Pictures and other programs,  PDF, etc. None of them work. Where do I find a program that lets me open these downloads? I used to be able to but no more. Thanks for any HELP you can give me. It depends on what format the files you are trying to open are saved in.  Often files DOWNLOADED from the internet are compressed in some manner and will have an extension such as .zip or .rar.  You need to find out what  compression UTILITY was used to compress the file then get that utility to uncompress the file.  For instance, a file that has the extension .zip can be uncompressed using the utility 7Zip or WinZip.  If you have Win 7 or Win 8 as your OS then you should be able to uncompress zip files from File Explorer.I took the liberty of moving your POST here...
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Thanx.