can't open .exe files windows 10

I have read all the threads here and didn't solve my problem. BUT. I have noticed, that if I right click an .exe file and run it as admin, it runs normally. But just some of them... for other it says that it cannot find the program...

Does anyone have any idea what's the issue?

Your issue isn't the same as what I had - you have a permissions issue with your account if this happens with EVERY application you try to open or if not then the application you are referencing required escalated privileges (like using sudo in *nix).

Yes, something isn't right. I just removed a hijackexe virus from registry and now some programs can run only with "run as admin" and part of startup programs are staring up correctly at bootup. But still many programs exe files are in the folder but do not have an icon and when i try to run them error message says i cannot run then, because computer cannot find them or they don't excist... something in that manner.

trying to install software  for Garmin gps. 

Message says "cant install on this computer"

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!!

You can select safe mode with command prompt. After logged in command windows open by default, type 'regedit'  and hit enter . Regedit will open . You can find .exe folder from root folder , just click the .exe folder you will find default file , ensure the name called exefile . If it is not mentioned just change and type ' exefile ' . Thats it 

Hope this will usefull .

And sorry for my english communication and typing .  Lol