Windows not recognising files, pdf and chrome exe.

Question

Windows not recognising files, pdf and chrome exe.

Narelle Jarvis 0

Windows is not recognising files, pdf and chrome exe even though they are on my laptop. I have Windows 11 working for a couple of years but now have this problem.

#windows

#windows11

#chrome

#pdf

#doc

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

GsN5034 - IA 76,990 Independent Advisor

Hello,

Could you please provide the exact error message you receive when trying to open the PDF files or run the Chrome .exe file? If possible, please also share a screenshot of the error message.

Also, please see whether you are experiencing the same problem in a new local user profile.

Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and click Ok.
Select Add > Sign in without a Microsoft account not recommended.
Select Local account.
Create a temporary username and password.
Sign out and sign in to the newly created local user profile.

Open the Edge browser, download Chrome.exe, and run it in the new local profile. See if the installation goes through.

If you are experiencing any errors, let me know.

Narelle Jarvis 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T03:50:00.71+00:00

This same message pops up when I try to open a pdf or any doc. I can access pdf through the Adobe Acrobat Reader app. I will try your suggestions.
GsN5034 - IA 76,990 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-14T06:41:48.38+00:00
Thank you for the screenshot.

You may also receive this error if your system files are being corrupted.

Open a CMD (Admin) window.

Run these commands one by one and click Enter for each command.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth sfc /scannow

Once completed, restart your computer.

Note: Each command may take a few minutes to complete.
Narelle Jarvis 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T11:29:33.7+00:00

Hello again... this message when I tried as you suggested.

You must be an administrator running a console session in order to

use the sfc utility.
Narelle Jarvis 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T11:30:46.7033333+00:00

Error 740
Narelle Jarvis 0 Reputation points

2026-09-15T07:29:55.85+00:00

Still no luck. I have given up and taken my laptop to a local tech guy and hope he can fix it for me, Thanks for your effort.

Answer 2

ApexNáV 265

Simply repair system files. Repairing Windows by reinstalling the same version may help. It repairs system files and components while preserving your apps, files, and settings, but I still recommend backing up important data just in case. You can perform the repair using the Microsoft guide below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/install-upgrade/fix-issues-by-reinstalling-the-current-version-of-windows

Narelle Jarvis 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T11:32:52.9933333+00:00

Hello....I tried this and after many hours, the problem is still there. I am trying another suggestion from a different responder. Very frustrating. Fingers crossed.
ApexNáV 265 Reputation points

2026-09-14T13:46:16.49+00:00

Could you somehow image, how they looks. Did you try Right‑click any PDF → Open with → Choose another app. Select Edge or Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Narelle Jarvis 0 Reputation points

2026-09-15T07:29:31.7233333+00:00

Still no luck. I have given up and taken my laptop to a local tech guy and hope he can fix it for me, Thanks for your effort.