All the programs or applications are being opened by notepad.exe

After reading a lot on the net I finally did myself.,...
This is what I did..
1. Some how restrat the windows and while staring keep on pressing F2 & F8 (probably F8) is more appropriate.. to bring up the selection to start windows in Safe mode with Command prompt
2. Select Safe Mode with Command Promt.
3. Loging and the Command Prompt will be opened.
4. Type regedit.exe
5. Browse through...
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\ node
6. If you find anything other than OpenWithList & OpenWithProgIDs (in my case UserProgAssoc) , needs to be deleted. The Thrird key might have notepad.exe defined in that..
7. You might find that the custom key cannot be deleted.. So Right-Click->Permission.
8. Then Click Advanced and openn and add FULL control to the current logged in user. To be safe set all with Full Control. And APPLY. (Make sure all inherited are selected or checked)
9. Now you should be able to delete the third or forth key which is causing this massive problem..
10. Once deleted then SHUTDOWN and restart normally...
Thats all ....enjoy