All Exe files open the Internet Explorer download window

All of my program exe files only open the internet explorer download window. The only option then is either to run or save which neither work. Pressing run or save will only make the download window disappear then reappear. I have read several posts on the internet with probable solutions but none can be tried because all the files they ask to run only activate the internet explorer window again. ie regedit, sfc etc.This problem also appears in safe mode. The OS is Windows 7 Premium. Any help would be much appreciated.