windows essential installed but none of the programs will open

I am running windows 7 SP1 with 4 G ram and an intel I5 processor and direct X 11 Ihave downloaded windows essential from the web and it appears to have installed OK. The programs  i.e. messenger etc are itemised in the start menu. However when I click on any of the Essential programs there is a brief pause while windows searches? for the program and then nothing else happens. None of the Essential programns will respond. Twice I have uninstalled and reinstalled the programs and also checked if the firewall is blocking the application. I have wasted much time and effort on this problem.