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

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Apps

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

3 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

98 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-15T04:25:46+00:00

    There is a command line regedit called reg, though if you type regedit into a command prompt it should work (it doesn't look up exefiles in the registry only document files unlike explorer), if not use reg.

    Here's an example deleting your save folder setting (note HKCU is the same as HKEY_Current_User - you can use the short or long form)

    reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell" /f

    See reg /? for help.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-13T17:19:26+00:00

    Dont you get it? :(

    The Regedit.exe opens with the same program that ALL he .exe files on my PC open with at the moment. I cant run Chrome because it opens with Adobe Photoshop, i cant run Regedit because it works with Adobe Photoshop. I managed to open /cmd using CTRL + ALT + DEL and CTRL + Clicking the ''new task'' button. But now im stuck..

    Can't dowload, Can't run anything, Please help :'(

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-05T15:13:30+00:00

    Remove the unwanted registry change

    Click Start Menu, and then type regedit in the Start Search and press ENTER.

    Browse to the following registry branch:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.lnk

    Click on the arrow to expand it and delete the sub-key named UserChoice.

    Exit from Registry Editor and reboot your machine.

    Best fix...works 100%

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments