Keep getting error messages for each program on XP

[MissKitty]

Can someone please help?? I got back from class today and went to turn my laptop on. When I try to run a program it keeps saying "(whatever program) has encountered a problem and needs to close". It wont even run System Restore or any Windows programs for that matter. The only things I got to run were Firefox, AVG, the Steam client and that's it. I scanned for viruses but it didn't find anything. I could use some help.  Forgot to mention that I just updated the system before I left.

[dairyman]

Have you recently downloaded and installed anything?
What Operating System are you using?
Did you scan for viruses and spyware in Safe Mode?

[Broni]

I scanned for viruses

How, if you say, you can't open any program?

[Astoria]

The only things I got to run were Firefox, AVG, the Steam client and that's it. I scanned for viruses but it didn't find anything.

That would be how 

[Broni]

Can you run anything from Safe Mode?

[Astoria]

Forgot to mention that I just updated the system before I left.

Where those Windows updates or other updates?

[Broni]

Yeah, that may be your problem. They should be listed in Control Panel>Add\Remove. Uninstall latest updates, and see, if it helps.