can't open .exe files windows 10

Hi Derek,

Thank you for keeping us updated on this issue.

• Are you facing the same issue with a specified .exe file or all types of .exe files?
• Is this the same file you used to face issue with in Windows 8.1?

If you are facing the same issue with all files, please follow the steps below and check:

1. Press Windows key+ R to open Run command.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Search for Windows Installer and if it is stopped, right click on it and click on Start.

Please post us with the results and information to help you better.

Thank you. 

Nothing happens after i I click on any .exe file

I've been having the same issue. When I try to open a .exe file I am asked what program I want to use to open the file: explorer, notepad, windows media player, paint, or wordpad. Of course, using any of these programs does not allow me to run the .exe. There is no error message. No changes have been made. This is a new laptop and a new operating system. I do not have Microsoft Office. What needs to be done to remedy this?

• Open Command Prompt (run as admin) type  cd\windows
• Press "Windows key + R" on your keyboard type regedit
• locate HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.exe in the right side pane change the value of Default key to exefile
• On the registry editor go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command
• in the right side pane change the value of Default key to "%1" %*
• then restart your computer

Headshot! Thank you!

Yes, I changed the "_" back to a "." in the executable file of the downloaded Chrome browser, which was downloaded using Microsoft's browser.  I was then able to install Chrome and make it my default browser.  Then, using Chrome, I downloaded the other programs and installed them with no problem.   Thank you for the solution to a vexing problem.

I have spend countless hours searching for a solution, but with no success.  Windows 10 has beaten me.  I am going to install a new Windows 7 as an interim solution until I can go over to Linux -- which is what I should have done years ago.