Unable to open .exe files

Anonymous
2010-02-01T02:00:45+00:00

Vista won't load .exe files! And more problems...

Ok, so all of a sudden, my computer goes berserk and I get all these pop-ups and messages saying that my computer is infected. Then it continues to say that I can't use the computer unless I delete the Trojans. I press the Remove Virus button and it takes me to a page on IE that says I have to pay for this Windows Vista Security package to remove the viruses. I ignore that, and proceed to download Avast! the great free anti-virus program that so many people have told me about.

Well, I tried to open Avast! but Windows kept saying that that file was infected. So I shut down several times, and I still had the problem. So I gave up, went to bed, hoping that the problem would be fixed tomorrow.

Next day: I opened Windows, and I didn't have any of those pop-ups. But, I couldn't open ANYTHING. I tried to open Firefox, and something popped up saying something like "Windows cannot find the correct program to open firefox.exe, choose a program from the list" and all that was on the list was Internet Explorer.

When I tried to open Microsoft Word, it said that it couldn't find the correct program, and told me to choose frmo the listed programs, which was just Internet Explorer.

Same thing happened with Google Chrome, Avast!, and Notepad.... All of them were prompting me to open them with a different kind of program.

Thing is, when I try to open IE itself, it prompts me to open it with the correct program-opener, and lists Internet explorer.

I didn't get those pop-ups, or messages telling me I had viruses anymore...

Please help, as soon as possible.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

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Anonymous
2012-03-30T01:04:56+00:00

Hello Pixel Lite,

There was a KB article created to help fix this issue, the article has a Fix it to automate the steps.

See this KB article:

Can't open .EXE files in Windows 7 or Windows Vista

Hope this helps.

L.D.

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Anonymous
2010-02-04T09:10:54+00:00

So I just fixed mine, EXEs are loading correctly now. It was a few registry issues that just need to be changed.

  1. Type command in the RUN dialog box to open Command Prompt
  2. When Command Prompt is up, type cd \windows3. Type regedit to open up the Registries.

4. Expand HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and find the folder of .exe

  1. Without expanding it, on the main .exe folder, Right-click (Default) and Modify. Change the Value Data to exefile6. Now in the same HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT find the folder of exefile and Right-click (Default) and Modify. Change the Value Data to "%1" %*
  2. Lastly expand exefile, expand shell, expand open, click on the command folder, Right-click (Default) and Modify. Change the Value Data to "%1" %*
  3. Close Regedit and Restart the computer. When restarted, EXE files should not prompt you to choose a program to run it now and load correctly.

Hope this helps yall out!

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-03T00:16:14+00:00

    very very thanks to Livtboiraver......it was great help

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-01T00:21:48+00:00

    Extra info to this solution: Thanks it also works for Win7. My daughter got the same ".exe files won't run" bug. I only needed to change one of the values in the registry. Specifically step 6 of the fix provided by lilvtboiraver,  the exefile, default key previously read "application", modified to "%1"%* and she was back in business.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-12-30T13:34:47+00:00

    Hi ev718,

    It was a few registry issues that just need to be changed.

    First of all, I Suggest You try to run a Security Scan to check whether the system is running fine.

    Perform this scan on your computer to check whether your computer is been infected by any virus or not.

    Download, save, and then install: **Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free**

    Click the 'Download free version' button.

    Allow MBAM to download it's latest definitions during it's installation.

    Preferably in safe mode with networking - repeatedly tap F8 as you boot.

    Open MBAM and do a Quick scan, which is

    the Default setting. If *anything is detected*, do a Full scan next.

    After you have used malwarebytes then Download **Microsoft Security scanner.**

    Run Microsoft Security scanner (MSS) for any threat and try to fix them

    to make sure you have nothing else hiding away.

    Preferably in safe mode with networking - repeatedly tap F8 as you boot.

    Then, I would suggest you to try **Fix EXE File Association**

    Hope This Solves The Issue. If not, Then,

    Open an elevated command prompt.

    To do this, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

    SFC /scannow

    This will check for any integrity violations and fix any corrupted operating system files.

    Then reboot your system. Next,

    Here is a Mr. FixIT

    **When you run an .exe file on a Windows Vista-based or Windows 7-based computer, the file may start a different program**

    Please go here and once there, click on the "FixIT" Icon

    Hope this information is helpful.

    Regards,

    Tamim

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