EXE / Download problem

Recently every program I've tried to dl from the internet has given me serious problems. I've mostly been trying to dl anti spyware/malware, and have tried to dl from reputable sites and links given to me from NBR. After I download the installer and try to run it, every program has given me the same error:

c:\users\nick\document\"insert program name here -setup.exe" is not a vaild win32 application.

Any idea how to fix this or 's going on with my computer?

 

Have you tried downloading the setups from a different browser? This message can mean that the file is corrupted - the browser, for example, probably doesn't finish the file while it's downloading it, etc. Or maybe this can be caused because the virus scanner installed in the computer doesn't allow the file to be installed or run. And since when do you have this problem - days or weeks? If so you may consider doing a System Restore.

 

right click on the downloaded program
if you see something similar to the attached pic
then click "Unblock" then "OK"

 

I've just been having this problem for the past 3-5 days. I have no idea when my last restore point is. I just upgraded my anti-virus to the new avg last week, and firefox updated the other day.
My new notebook should be coming in this week, and my friend wants to buy my old one for $100, and I don't want to give him damaged goods.

 

If you are going to sell it to your friend can't you just preinstall the windows? I mean you do keep your recovery disks, right?

 

It didn't come with any...best buy is fail.