NEED HELP!!! when trying to click on PIX!

For about a week, no matter what folder I go to for pics (I sell on eBay so keep a lot), as soon as I double-click on any of them (just to see them closer), Windows begins opening Microsoft PUblisher 2002 and sends on onscreen message that says to "wait while Windows configures Microsoft :crybaby:bangheadPublisher." Which never happens. This has NEVER been an issue before. I've never used Publisher to open any of my pix.

Then a message pop-up from Publisher 2002 notes that "the feature you are trying to use is on a CD ROM or other removeable source different disk that is not available. Insert the Microsoft Publisher disk and click "OK." I haven't done that because I've never used Publisher to deal with my pix in the past and am AFRAID to do it.

There is a "Browse" pulldown at the bottom of the box. When I pulldown the tab, it gives me PUBRET.MSI as the file name and shows Installation Package {*msi} in the Files of Type.
HELP, PLEASE!!!!! :banghead

 

Right click on the picture then select Open With. Then choose the app you wish to view the file with.

Or, click "choose default program". Then select the program you always wish to open said program.

Making sure the check box for "always use the selected program to open this kind of file" is checked.