Solution: .EXE Files Always Open with Notepad or Other Applications

Many times ppl 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:

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 regedit 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 goto:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

In right-side pane, change value of Default key to:

"%1" %*

6. Thats it. Now exit Registry Editor and restart your Windows. Now you should be able to open EXE files without any problem.

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This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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59 Comments

rainkid

please will you make youtube video on this and let me know I totally lost and dumb pleaseeee
BrokenVista

Mine is similar but not the same. When I installed Crimson Editor I found that it is opening my CMD.EXE file for editing.. but only under 1 circumstance.

There's a shortcut for administrators when using CMD . You type,

Ctl-Shft-Enter after typing CMD into the search field and you can go
into a Command Prompt window as administrator. Otherwise you must
use the right click mouse on the CMD.EXE file listing which comes up after
you 'search' for CMD.

I find this problem I have is odd and must be realatively easy to fix. Sadly
when I wrote to the Crimson Editor people I got no help yet.. But it IS
a really great editor.. also works for executable files..

But I don't want to be opening CMD.EXE at all in an editor. And I'd like
to keep my shortcut to get into a Command Prompt screen. Again ..
there's no reason I should ever be editing CMD.exe so I'd like to fix the problem.
I did check out the routine above to verify that my exe files are associated
as they're supposed to be.. everything as shown above is OK in my Vista
System.

Another thing I did was uninstall Crimson Editor. I tried my shortcut with CMD.EXE and the problem did not occur. Reinstalling CE caused the problem to
occur. For some odd reason using Ctl-Shft -Enter causes Crimson Editor to
open the CMD.exe file for editing. Since I reinstalled CE I made sure not
to set any hot key setups .. So that should not be the problem at all. it's
as bland an installation as possible. Unless perhaps CE thinks it should open
.exe files if I press Ctl-Shft-Enter when showing them in the search field.

But I asked in their forum

http://forum.emeraldeditor.com

And no one there mentioned any behavior of CE to be working like that.

So again.. since the users here seemed to tenacious I figured this is a good
place to make friends.

I'm using about 100 forums and maybe 10 of them regularly. I'll always
stick with a post and use an 'ER.DOC' file.. 'expecting reply' file so I know
to come back and check out what's going on with my post or other posts
I've contributed to. If I can help YOU I will.

I hope today you can help me.

Thanks

Andre
Any tips are apprecited.
NM

Thanks mate It worked for me.
Jack

#

oli said:

hi guys.. the thing which you say are right! but my problem is so different..! you told to open the RUN and type REGEDIT..! But the result is it opens with the "open with" window for me! what to do i am totally stuck! if i try to install any software also it shows the "open with" window!
#

oli said:

i can t open the command prompt also... if i open it shows "open with" window! for each and every application i try to open it displays the "open with" window! then how can i access the regedit or the command prompt of windows???

Same happens to me and i cant enter safe mode >.<
Vineeth

Go to start >> programs >>accessories >> then right click on command prompt >> click on run as >. select the second option button (run as administrator) >> enter administartor password ( need to hav an admin password, blank password will not accept)

check it.. it will work
Rihan Ahmed

hi

Please send the patch file for the above solution
Jorge

Thanks!
I tried it and worked like magic!
Dan, you opened my mind to came to this!
Dvien

i poend regedit but the value is like what u said what should i change, all my program open by windows media player, i can't open any file that has .exe pls help..
jason

GUESS WHAT EVERYBODY ON MY COMLPUTER REGEDIT OPENS IN NOTEPAD!!!!!!!!!
jason

GUESS WHAT EVERYBODY ON MY COMLPUTER REGEDIT OPENS IN NOTEPAD!!!!!!!!!