vulnerability discovery?

[jeffs at speakeasy.net (jeffs)]

I stumbled upon windows throwing an exception in XP yesterday and 
thought to myself, gee, here is something I could use for a 
vulnerability test.  Problem is, I don't know that much about building 
them so I'll pass this through the list and if anyone has some pointers 
on next steps please advise.  Or if I'm just dreaming, let me know that 
too...  I think this could be a good learning platform for me.  using 
ollydebug etc...

I once installed an encryption software on a windows xp box which 
allowed me to encrypt files and folders.  I then removed the software 
but left the files and folders encrypted.  Now, whenever I click on the 
folder windows explorer throws an exception and wants to report back to 
microsoft (which I deny) and then the screen goes blank and the desktop 
is re-drawn all over again.  Weird thing is I can actually access the 
folder and see the files inside (which should not have been the case), 
although I cannot indeed access any of the files.

this is a fully patched xp professional sp3 box.

Is this something or am I just dreaming?

Thanks.