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
    2010-04-10T19:07:03+00:00

    Hi,

    These methods are for Vista, for Windows 7 see this thread which has those adaptationsthough it is essentially identical.

    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7desktop/thread/01a7fc78-6575-4b66-afa4-efe2671878ca

    Two part message - the first is for those that still have (or might have) the malware on their

    system. It has to be totally removed or it will come back and be even tougher to deal with

    in the newer interation as it can morph.

    Just in case there are any lingering pieces of the malware here is the complete removal method.

    .exe issue fix in the next message.

    Try Safe Mode with networking - repeatedly tap F8 as you boot up.

    The top two methods allow the scanners to run and/or get AV.exe out of the way or removal.

    1.

    CTRL SHIFT ESC  - Task Manager  OR Right Click the TaskBar - Task Manager

    Processes tab - End Process on AV.EXE and then proceed with the Uninstall Guide.

    If needed use Start - Computer  OR  Windows Explorer  to navigate to

    C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe  or where ever it is installed at - if

    needed Right Click the Malwarebytes - Properties - Shortcut tab - target line to see where it

    is installed.

    Right Click on it and Rename it to ZZMbam.COM (or anything different than it is now) and

    then double click on it and run it that way. You can rename it back later. Do similar with

    other programs as needed. Use this method for others as needed - DO NOT ASSUME any

    one program removes it all or that there is not other malware involved.

    Another method is to use these :

    Use Process Explorer to "Suspend" not Stop the Processes

    Then use AutoRuns to remove the malware startup items.

    Now use UnLocker to delete the files in the malware.

    You may have to do this one file at a time.

    Process Explorer - Free

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

    AutoRuns - Free

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

    UnLocker - Free (do not install the Ebay adaware)

    http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Unlocker.shtml

    AV.exe

    ==============================================

    The AV.exe malware goes under many names :

    XP Internet Security 2010, Antivirus Vista 2010, and Win 7 Antispyware 2010 are rogue

    antivirus, scams to force you to pay for them while they have no benefits at all.

    How to remove Vista Antivirus 2010 and the other AV.exe varieties.

    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-antivirus-vista-2010

    RENAME these as needed to allow them to run : (use another name with the .COM extension instead of .exe)

    These can be done in Safe Mode - repeatedly tap F8 as you boot however you should also

    run them in regular Windows when you can.

    Download malwarebytes and scan with it, run MRT, and add Prevx to be sure it is gone.

    (If Rootkits run UnHackMe)

    Download - SAVE - go to where you put it - Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN

    Malwarebytes - free

    http://www.malwarebytes.org/

    Run the Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool

    Start - type in Search box -> MRT  find at top of list - Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN.

    You should be getting this tool and its updates via Windows Updates - if needed you can

    download it here.

    Download - SAVE - go to where you put it - Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN

    (Then run MRT as above.)

    Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool - 32 bit

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en

    Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool - 64 bit

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=585D2BDE-367F-495E-94E7-6349F4EFFC74&displaylang=en

    also install Prevx to be sure it is all gone.

    Download - SAVE - go to where you put it - Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN

    Prevx - Home - Free - small, fast, exceptional CLOUD protection, works with other security

    programs. This is a scanner only, VERY EFFECTIVE, if it finds something come back here or

    use Google to see how to remove. 

    http://www.prevx.com/   <-- information

    http://info.prevx.com/downloadcsi.asp  <-- download

    PCmag - Prevx - Editor's Choice

    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346862,00.asp

    Try the trial version of Hitman Pro :

    Hitman Pro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware

    (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security

    measures you have taken (such as anti virus software, firewalls, etc.).

    http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro

    If needed here are some online free scanners to help

    http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

    http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

    http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

    Other Free online scans

    http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=antivirus+free+online+scan&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1

    Also do these to cleanup general corruption and repair/replace damaged/missing system

    files.

    Run DiskCleanup - Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup

    Start - type this in Search Box ->  COMMAND   find at top and RIGHT CLICK  - 

    RUN AS ADMIN

    Enter this at the prompt - sfc /scannow

    How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker

    (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista cbs.log

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228

    Run checkdisk - schedule it to run at next start and then Apply OK your way out then

    restart.

    How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista

    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

    If any Rootkits are found use this thread and other suggestions. (Run UnHackMe)

    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/InternetExplorer/thread/a8f665f0-c793-441a-a5b9-54b7e1e7a5a4/

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-10T19:09:15+00:00

    Hi,

    These methods are for Vista, for Windows 7 see this thread which has those adaptationsthough it is essentially identical.

    http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7desktop/thread/01a7fc78-6575-4b66-afa4-efe2671878ca

    Use above message to do an intense and thorough check for malware.

    To restore the ability to run .exe programs.

    1. Make a Restore Point so you can revert back if needed though not likely required.

    How to Create a System Restore Point in Vista

    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76332-system-restore-point-create.html

    How to Do a System Restore in Vista

    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html

    2 . Copy BETWEEN these lines and paste into Notepad - Save as exefileFix.reg  -  then Right

    Click on it and MERGE - REBOOT

    DO NOT COPY LINES

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.EXE]

    @="exefile"

    "Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.EXE\PersistentHandler]

    @="{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]

    @="Application"

    "EditFlags"=hex:38,07,00,00

    "FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,\

      00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,\

      32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,\

      00,2c,00,2d,00,31,00,30,00,31,00,35,00,36,00,00,00

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon]

    @="%1"

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell]

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open]

    "EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,00

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]

    @=""%1" %*"

    "IsolatedCommand"=""%1" %*"

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas]

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command]

    @=""%1" %*"

    "IsolatedCommand"=""%1" %*"

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex]

    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\DropHandler]

    @="{86C86720-42A0-1069-A2E8-08002B30309D}"

    [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.exe\UserChoice]

    DO NOT COPY LINES

    If needed :

    Check the EXE file fix here

    http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/105/1/File-association-fixes-for-Windows-Vista.html

    Also check this one if it applies

    http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/165/1/Restore-the-exe-file-association-in-Windows-Vista-after-incorrectly-associating-it-with-another-application.html

    How to Set Default Associations For a Program in Vista

    http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/83196-default-programs-program-default-associations.html

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-04-10T19:56:09+00:00

    This thing didn't come with a restore disk (they keep cheaping us down!). I can't get free support cause sysinfo won't run for me to get the appropriate numbers to qualify free support.

    MeByoung, I haven't needed to use sysinfo to get support from HP for my laptop. I've provided them with the computer's serial number (available on the back of it).

    Also, there's no need for a restore disk. Restoration can be run off of the hard disk, which is where the restoration files are. You need to boot while pressing F10 (or Alt-F10 or F11?) and then follow prompts. See http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00809678&product=18703#RestoreWithoutWindows .

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