The Application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142)

System = Windows 7 64-bit

Various programs, notably Regedit, won't start. Instead I get:

The Application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142).

Strangly, at least to my thinking, I can launch them via Task Manager.

I am also grappling with AVG errors or over-activity, e.g. reports of Broken digital Signature.

I am also having problems with Excel Update KB978474

I mention these just incase anyone thinks there is a connection, rather than expecting people to solve 3 problems at once.

sound like you have a corrupt or virus-infected files,

trySFC /scannow to recover the system files.