Certainly, use a program like Malware Bytes to check for malware if there's any question about that.
You don't mention what type of program you 86ed and if its all programs or a just a certain type of program like browsers. You might try reinstalling it to see if that fixes the problem. Also if it was just a coincidence that it started misbehaving around the same time, try a system restore to a restore point before the problem developed. If that doesn't work and you have an XP install disc, you can try a repair install. That just replaces windows system files that may have been damaged. Google repair install for Windows XP specifically and find a Microsoft KB article on the subject for more information on how its done.
I uninstalled a program today and since I did that programs won't start. The internet explorer starts but then stops. I can get online.Is this a virus or is windows damaged?

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