exe files open with adobe reader

Anonymous
2009-04-02T00:14:11+00:00

i accidentally changed my default thing to adobe reader, how do i turn it back? all my .exe files opens with adobe reader now, System restore doesnt work(adobe reader reads it) i cant uninstall adobe reader, there is no "open with..." on any .exe file options and i tried the default programs thing in control panel and clicked on the protocol etc but i cant find .exe . i cant run any .exe file now coz adobe reader is the default. any help? thanks

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Anonymous
2009-04-02T08:09:38+00:00

Hello JohnDeCastro,

Thank you for posting. 

Many times ppl face problems while opening .EXE files.

  • The EXE file opens in Notepad.
  • EXE file opens in some other installed programs.
  • Windows displays "Open With" dialog box to choose the program.
  • Windows shows error message, "Windows cannot find .exe file. Make sure you typed the name correctly".

Most of the times it happens when you accidentally change .Exe file type settings from Folder Options. Sometimes it might happen due to virus.

Anyway no need to worry. Here is a solution which will fix this annoying problem:

1. Open Command Prompt by typing command in RUN dialog box.

2. Now provide following command:

cd\windows

3. It'll activate Windows folder. Now provide following command to open

Registry Editor:

regedit

4. Now goto following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.exe

In right-side pane, change value of Default key to exefile

5. Now goto:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

In right-side pane, change value of Default key to:

"%1" %*

6. Thats it. Now exit Registry Editor and restart your Windows. Now you should be able to open EXE files without any problem.

Please let me know if this helps you.

Zack

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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Anonymous
2011-11-19T09:57:24+00:00

I managed by going to:

default programs from the start button

associate a file type or protocol with a program

found .acrobatsecuritysettings

double clicked on it clicked on browse and found office word

it really worked

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-03-17T14:32:17+00:00

    Hey.

    I have the same problem, my shortcuts are loaded in Notepad and my .exe files are loaded in Windows Media Center.

    With high hopes I tried the suggestion by Frito182, with the merge files thing. It seemed ok with no hiccups but when I loaded my computer back up only the exe problem had been fixed, they seem to work again.

    The shortcuts however seem to be still broken.

    So, then I tried the remedy proposed above by SpiritX and could not get my head around it.

    How do I actually view the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ FileExts \ .exe \ UserChoice" thing? Is this definately working for Windows 7, or just a Vista fix?

    My apologies for my limited experience with these things, it's normally my father's regime but he's at work.

    Any thoughts?

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-03-09T00:41:23+00:00

    Hi,

    This method also works in Windows 7.

    Restore the .exe file association in Windows Vista, after incorrectly associating it

    with another application

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

    Hope this helps.

    Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-03-08T23:46:31+00:00

    I had this same problem. I had accidentally set 7-Zip as the default player for .exe files. I did everything that you suggested, but Windows still displays the 7-Zip file icon for my .exe applications. How could I fix it?

    I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate x32

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