can't open .exe files windows 10

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.

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).

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?

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?