.exes linked to non existant exe file

Win 98SE .exes linked to non existant exe file. I’m running a P3 500mhz w/ 256mb ram. All .exe pgm won’t start. error message indicates that a hrocpyshd[?].exe does not exist. said file is not in cabs or on 98SE install disk. There is no reference to this file on Microsoft site. MS Outlook starts & allow IE 5.+ to start. Short of re-imaging HD, any ideas on how to cure/fix this error.