Many times people face problems while opening .EXE files.
- The EXE file opens in Notepad.
- EXE file opens in some other installed programs.
- Windows displays "Open With" dialog box to choose the program.
- Windows shows error message, "Windows cannot find .exe file. Make sure you typed the name correctly".
Most of the times it happens when you accidentally change .Exe file type settings from Folder Options. Sometimes it might happen due to virus.
Anyway no need to worry. Here is a solution which will fix this annoying problem:
METHOD A: Using Ready-Made Registry Script
Download following ZIP file, extract it and run the extracted REG file. It'll ask for confirmation, accept it. It should solve the problem.
METHOD B: Manually Editing Windows Registry
1. Open Command Prompt by typing command in RUN dialog box.
2. Now provide following command:
cd\windows
3. It'll activate Windows folder. Now provide following command to open Registry Editor:
regedit
NOTE: If you can't open "regedit", press CTRL+ALT+DEL keys and open "Task Manager". Now click on "File" menu and hold down the "CTRL" key and click on "New Task" menu. It'll open a Command Prompt window. Now provide regedit.exe command and press Enter. It'll open registry editor without any problem.
4. Now goto following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
In right-side pane, change value of Default key to exefile
5. Now go to:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command
In right-side pane, change value of Default key to:
"%1" %*
6. That's it. Now exit Registry Editor and restart your Windows. Now you should be able to open EXE files without any problem.
Don't forget to check solutions for other common PC problems in following topic:
[Help & Support] Frequently Asked Problems with Solutions
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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Ganesh Shinde
Hi , Thanks a lot for your information and it really worked.
Thanks a lot.
Max
Okay guys i run on windows 7. when i change the value of the default key, an error pops and that says "Cannot edit: Error writing the value's new contents." Please help.
VG
^^ Try to take permission of the key.
Max
What do u mean?
Amjad
CMD is not opening. So how can i fix this problem?
VG
^^ Check the NOTE section.
Peter
ok I do not know very much about computers but I know how to get into command prompt and regedit but when I have to complete the steps I don't get it, I think this is meant for experienced people with computers so can somebody please give the guide to how to fix this for idiots please. I have windows 7 32bit and would really appreciate a step by step explanation of this and in simple terms and what the values or whatever they as they appear. NOTHING IS TO EXPLAINED DON'T BE AFRAID TO EXPLAIN TO FAR. I think this method does work but not everyone is completely computer savvy.
So any response would be greatly appreciated.
thank you.
Peter.
VG
^^ You just need to open Registry Editor by giving command regedit and then go to the keys mentioned in above steps and change values as suggested.
Peter
Is that answer for me or the guy above, because I still don't get it, can you explain each step and why you do them and what a key is. Because there is nothing that is a key there, only values and stuff, and is it necessary to have the cd\windows command and why.
Dev
Excellent, thanks for the post. You helped me fix my computer after removing a Trojan virus!!