IE Crashes after installing New Versions of Java and Adobe Flash Player

Hello,

I scanned my computer with Secunia to ensure all programs were patched and/or updated.  It was revealed updates were available for Java and Adobe Flash Player.

Yesterday I downloaded the new version of Java and began experiencing problems.  IE crashed constantly as well as Window Explorer.  Also, not only could I not open WinPatrol, but its tray icon disappeared!  I remembered I had not removed the older version of Java and did so.  This did not improve the situation.  I finally restored my computer to a point before the download.

Next I created a new restore point and followed a similar procedure as above for the Adobe Flash Player download.  As before, IE and Windows Explorer crashed constantly, so again I restored my computer to the pre-download point.

Today Problems and Report Solutions indicated a problem with the Adobe Flash Player and gave the links to the Adobe website for uninstalling the older version and installing the newer version.  After installation, the computer again performed as I indicated above.  Again I did a restore.

Although IE no longer crashes, it freezes (or stalls) now and then and in many instances the favicons does not correspond to the websites.  I cleaned out the temp files and went into Internet Options and deleted the History.  This seems to help the favicon problem somewhat. 

Since I installed several updates yesterday, including an update for IE, I wonder if any of these issues may be caused by the latest IE update?

Thank you,

Nissi1

Vista Home Premiun, SP1