can't open .exe files windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand your concern regarding the issue that you are facing.

1. What happens when you try to open the file?
2. Are you getting any error message?
3. Did you make any changes prior to this issue?
4. Have you installed Microsoft Office in the system?

Reply with necessary information and I’ll be happy to help you further

I messed up the registry and can not open .exe files

1. nothing happens when I try to open file. I double click a .exe and it's like I am not doing anything
2. no error message. when I try to download, I get error "your current security settings do not allow this file to be downloaded." with no other details. I click ok and it shows the downloads, I save as, it says can't download, I hit retry, and it downloads fine, but can't run/open it.
3. none. Windows 10 has auto updates on.
4. Yes have Office 365

I had the exact same problem : clicking any .exe file and nothing happening. I found a way out !

In my case it was caused by having previously changed the default Program File directory in the registry from C:\ to D:, because I prefer to have System on C and space consuming Data and Programs on D.

It seems that Windows 10 doesn't like it at all (it causes updates to end bad too).

To reverse it back :

• Since you can't even launch Regedit because it is a .exe, first restart Windows 10 in safe mode : Shift + click on Start/Stop -> Restart -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Startup Settings -> Restart -> Choose 5 at restart
• Once in safe mode, search "regedit" in start bar and launch it with administrative access
• Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows -> select CurrentVersion, then click on "ProgramFilesDir" and change it back to "C:\Program Files".
• Also click on "ProgramFilesDir (x86)" and change it back to "C:\Program Files (x86)".
• Then quit Regedit and restart.

Once doing this, I was able again to launch any .exe file in normal mode.

Hope it helped !

I did as you said, except that instead of booting up Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Networking, I selected Safe Mode with Command Prompt! I opened regedit with Command Prompt but I didn't find ProgramFilesDir in CurrentVersion!! Please, help me!!

Hello

I´m a beginner on this phone. Need to install a program for windows (snagit.exe).

after the download, touch twice ...... asks  "go to the store" if no - returns to the download. If yes - shows a game free (no need).

Not possible execute a .exe file?

1. Did you make any changes prior to this issue? no
2. Have you installed Microsoft Office in the system? was installed

Best regards

I ended up going into safe mode to get Malwarebytes installed that was able to identify several items of malware and quarantined it.  After that I was able to run .exe files again.