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
    2011-05-18T03:02:00+00:00

    Hello Zack. All my EXE files were opening with Windows media center, even the command prompt. I found the cmd.exe and opened it using itself and the command prompt opened.

    When I typed in cd\windows the windows folder did not activate. I went looking through my C drive for it and within it I found the regedit.exe

    However now all EXEs open with command prompt. When I tried opening regedit.exe with itself like i did with the command prompt I got aprompt stating:

    Adding information can unintentionally change or delete values and cause components to stop working correctly. If you do not trust the source of this information in C:\windows\regedit.exe, do not add it to the registry. Are you sure you want to continue?

    I chose yes and received another prompt:

    Cannot import C:\windows\regedit.exe: The specified file is not a registry script. You can only import binary registry files from within the registry editor.

    And now I don't know what to do to fix my problem. Please, your help would be greatly appreciated!

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-05-22T19:05:12+00:00

    Zack, I am having the same trouble (Vista) and I went through the process you outlined with no change to my icons.  any new program that I install works, but the icon it places on the desktop will not work and it changes to a windows icon.  Thanks for your help.

    Restore .EXE File Association in Windows 7/Vista After Incorrectly Associating It With Another Program

    I went through the instructions on this help file; however, when I got to ath USER CHOICE part, there was none, so I backed out.  I thought I had found the answer at last, but no.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-05-25T00:02:01+00:00

    Now everything is open with command prompt.I can use any solution because all things open with command prompt and I can 't change it to another program.If I would change to another program,I would unstall the program that you said but all things have the command prompt icon.

    Please help me !!!!!!!!!!!!

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