[Solution] EXE Files Always Open with Notepad or Other Applications OR Can’t Open EXE Files in Windows

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 are some solutions which will fix this annoying problem:

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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.

Download Registry Script

METHOD B: Manually Editing Windows Registry

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd or 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

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Fix_EXE_File_Not_Opening_Problem.png

NOTE: If you can’t open Command Prompt or if it also opens with Notepad, then try this:

Press CTRL+ALT+DEL keys together and open “Task Manager“. Alternatively, you can press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys together to directly launch Task Manager. Now click on “File” menu, press and hold “CTRL” key and click on “New Task” menu. It’ll open a Command Prompt window. Now run regedit.exe command and press Enter. It’ll open registry editor without any problem.

More Info: Hidden Secret Trick to Open “Command Prompt” Window Using Task Manager

4. Now go to 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.

METHOD C: Using Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd or command in RUN dialog box.

2. Now provide following command:

assoc .exe=exefile

Repair_EXE_Association_Windows.png

It’ll fix the problem.

METHOD D: Using Microsoft Fixit Tool

Microsoft has also released an automatic Fixit tool to fix this annoying problem. This Fixit tool is based on the same method given above in this tutorial.

You can download it using following link:

Download Fixit Tool

Don’t forget to check solutions for other common PC problems in following topic:

[Help & Support] Frequently Asked Problems with Solutions

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Saved my arse there pal. Thanks very much.
    I’d faffed around with the registry and nothing would open.
    Option A worked great!

  2. Thanks bro very much. I was very happy when i restarted my com…. YOU ARE THE BEST!

  3. You’re amazing! Thanks for the help. Problem was solved within seconds.

  4. Method B just ruined my machine. I can’t even get back into REGEDIT. Nothing opens up now.

  5. You’re a genius, VG!

    Registry Script solved the problem for me and I can’t thank you enough

    Robert V. DeSilverio, M.D.

  6. Hi, I’m a blind user, and I got into serious trouble when messing up with changing default programs to open some extensions. Since I obviously use a screen reader, I lost control of my computer, and every time I randomly wanted to open my screen reader by using a shortcut key, well, my computer opened a web browser. Thank God I have a laptop, so I searched on internet for a solution and your website came up. The script did the trick for me, and you made my day. I was really desperate. This is very very helpful.

  7. THANK YOU VERY MUCH , THANKSS , FOR 30 MINUTES I WAS THINKING I NEED TO REINSTALL MY WINDOWS , BUT YOU SAVED ME ,THANK YOUUU!!

  8. You saved my life bro. Method A worked flawlessly! God bless you 🙂

  9. I just wanted to thank you for the download file that sorted my in ability to access exe files after I had edited the registry and left out a space after ” and before %. I spent days trying to sort it and your file sorted it instantly.
    Thank you sor much. Steve Hulme

  10. Thank you so much. I used option 1,but the only this was I couldn’t open my internet browser on my computer…. So I download the zip file to my phone, connected it to my computer and transferred the file and bad-a-Bing bad-a-boom fixed! Thank you so much

  11. bhaii mazaaaa aa gayaa……kasam se….option A se turant sahi ho gyaa
    thankss very ………..much………..

  12. Hey, it doesn’t work at all! Even my Task Manager is opened by Notepad! what a bug by win10!!!!

  13. Hello,
    Your Fixit Tool got me out of a tough situation where no apps would open due to the .exe files were opening in Notepad. Thanks for your excellent work. I’m able to open apps like Google Chrome now. I’m using Windows 10.
    Sincerely,
    Eliot

  14. Thank you so much. I used option 1 after i extracted the file on to a pen drive and ran the file from there

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