Flash stopped working in XP

I know this is a problem in Windows, but honestly I don't know where else to go for help...

I've just been clearing out my Temporary Internet Files folders (man, they fill up with crap - I had already cleared about a gig of music videos) and all of a sudden I can't open Flash files locally anymore! Explorer opens online fine, but when I double-click one, it says:

"Windows cannot find Documents.exe.

This program is needed for opening of files type "Shockwave Flash Object".

Type in executable to be used instead..."

I haven't deleted anything yet - all of the stuff's still inn the Recycle Bin.

Um... help?

...

Hang on - Windows Explorer just crashed (I tried to open the Recycle bin with untold thousands of files in it, and it just died), so I told it to End Now, it dissappeared and came back on again - nothing unusual in this crazy Windows world - and all of a sudden Flash works again 😕 .

Okay, I'm rght now, but what caused it I wonder?