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
    2010-11-22T20:49:15+00:00

    Thanks a TONNNNNNNNNNNNNNN........Yours is the best solution and I'm happy to see all my .exe files working... Only thing I had to restore icons using Change iCon

    Anyone has similar problem.. Am sure try this... No chance of failure....

    http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/21368d1249420595-default-file-type-associations-restore-default\_exe.zip

    1. Click on the file extension type link listed below for the one that you wish to restore to default to download it's**.zip** file.

    2. Save the**.zip** file to your desktop.

    3. Open the .zip file, then extract the .reg file to the desktop.

    4. Right click on the**.reg** file and click on Merge.

    5. Click on theRun button in the Security Warning pop-up.

    6. Click onContinue(UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.

    7. When done, you can delete the downloaded**.zip** and .reg files on the desktop if you like.

    8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-11-27T04:23:52+00:00

    Zack,

    after many failed attempts on other blogs, your solution worked!  awesome!

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-12-06T16:04:21+00:00

    What do you do if you type command in the run and you receive the message that states windows can not open this file - it says to open this file windows needs to know what program created it. It asks me to make a choice : use the web service to find the appropriate program or slect the program for a list.  The list includes ofcourse Adobe Reader9.4 and other programs like internet Explorer.  So what do you do if you can't even access Run?

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