Error 0x88982F50 Partial Solution, Chapter 1

OK, this is quick and dirty and only a partial solution.

PROBLEM

Windows Explorer refuses to set file properties (especially tags) to JPEG
files (jpe, jpeg, and jpg). Instead you get the following error message:

Apply Properties File

An unexpected error is preventing the operation. Make a note of this error
code, which might be useful if you get additional help to resolve this
problem:

Error 0x88982f50: No error description available

Beneath this it shows a preview of the bitmap, along with the filename,
dimensions and size. There are two buttons: "Try Again" and "Cancel".

Trying again just brings up the window again.

PARTIAL SOLUTION

0x88982f50 refers to a "codec" error message, and a codec is some kind of
helper file for picture files. So I opened up Task Manager and went looking
for stuff that would have something to do with pictures.

Under the "Processes" tab I clicked the button "Show processes from all
users", and told the UAC prompt to "Continue". When all the stuff showed
up, I sorted on the "Command Line" column and found 4 lines of stuff for
"C:\Program Files\Roxio." and 3 for "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player.".
I took the time to "End Process" on all 7 of them.

This worked. I was able to use Windows Explorer again to set file
properties, and also to search on those properties.

A caution. Do NOT open Windows Explorer before going into Task Manager.
For some reason if Windows Explorer opens and finds the "bad conditions", it
will assume the "bad conditions" are still in effect throughout the session.
That is my reasoning at least.

MORE TO COME

This is what I have right now. I intend to post again with some more of
what I've found. I'm hoping that some of the more technically knowledgeable
folks here will have a clue about this.

I am not the only, or even the first to have this problem. Several other
people have had this problem over the last year, including what I assume to
be a Frenchman and a Spaniard. None of these people ever found an answer to
the same problem I had/have. And I do not really know how or why this has
happened or now stopped.