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
    2015-11-22T05:32:17+00:00

    All of the "solutions" that involve going to a website, opening a command prompt, opening regedit, creating a registry file using notepad, renaming a file, changing file associations or taking any step that uses an executable file on the affected computer do not understand the problem - NO EXECUTABLES WORK! Even in Safe Mode, all .exe files open Adobe Reader.

    After struggling with this issue, I logged into an unaffected computer, downloaded the win7fix.reg file, copied the file to the affected computer using a usb flashdrive, double-clicked on the win7fix.reg file to insert it into the registry and rebooted the machine.

    The steps are those listed under step1 in the following article (though the article doesn't instruct you to download the file to another computer and copy it to the affected computer):

    https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/application-file-icons-change-acrobat.html

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-12-02T08:09:04+00:00

    where is HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.exe

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-30T23:49:17+00:00

    None of the other suggestions worked for me, this is what I did which cured it:

    1. Go to Set Association in control panel
    2. Select .lnk
    3. Change default program to Internet Explorer
    4. go to start menu.
    5. run command
    6. regedit in run command.
    7. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentvershion\explorer\FileExts\
    8. search for .lnk ext.
    9. delete the user choice key
    10. restart

    That should correct the problem.

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