Windows can't open .exe files

Naterlee · Aug 13, 2011

Whenever I try to do so I get the "open with" window. All my files are there, but windows can't open them automatically. This started ever since I restarted my computer after a malware scan. Can anyone help me fix this?

abekl · Aug 13, 2011

do a google search on "cannot open exe files" You will see a link to a MS article on how to fix this.

TimW · Aug 13, 2011

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923077

theefool · Aug 13, 2011

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

Restart the problem computer in safe mode, and then back up the registry.

Click Start, click Run, type command /c copy %Windir%\regedit.exe regedit.com, and then click OK.

Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

In Registry Editor, compare the following registry subkeys with the registry subkeys of a working computer for the file name extensions that do not open:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.<file_name_extension>

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\<file_name_extension>file

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.<file_name_extension>\<Sub_Folder>

If you cannot open the .com files, compare the following registry subkeys with the registry subkeys of the working computer:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.com

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\comfile

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.com\PersistentHandler

If you find any difference between the registry entries on the problem computer and on the working computer, restore the default values of the corrupted entries. To do this, follow these steps:

Select the registry entry that you want to change.

On the Edit menu, click Modify.

In the Edit String dialog box, type the value that you find on the working computer in the Value data text box, and then click OK.

Click to expand...

For the click lazy.

dlb · Aug 13, 2011

There's a chance you have been infected with malware. Many of the newer viruses these days 'disable' the .EXE extension. Personally, I recommend that you follow these steps as needed for your version of Windows. If you are infected and those steps don't clear up the problems, post in the Malware Forum - If everything is OK, then re-enabling the EXE extension is fairly easy, but since you didn't mention which version of Windows you have, I cannot offer accurate steps to fix the problem . . . if the excellent info provided in the replies before mine doesn't help, let us know which version of Windows you have and we'll go from there.

. . . . and WELCOME TO MAJOR GEEKS! :wave :major

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Windows can't open .exe files

Naterlee Private E-2

abekl First Sergeant

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

theefool Geekified

dlb MajorGeek