If you find your system is unable to run executable (.exe) files, the following steps may help.
First, you should ensure you have an antivirus program installed and running on your computer, because your issue could be due to Virus/Malware. If you do have an antivirus program, make sure it is updated with the latest virus definitions and run a full system scan. If you do not have an antivirus program, consider downloading
AVG Free (or something similar) from
cnet.com or their direct website.
Of course, if you cannot execute any .exe files, you most likely will not be able to perform the above; but, should remember to do so after you complete the steps below.
Per Microsoft (
article)
• Boot/reboot computer into Safe Mode
• Click Start – Run – type:
command /c copy %Windir%\regedit.exe regedit.com
• Click Ok
This will create a copy of regedit.exe (which you cannot open), and name the file regedit.com.
• Click Start – Run – type:
regedit• Click Ok
This will run regedit.com (which is the identical copy of regedit.exe).
Once in the Registry Editor, access the following:
•
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
Click
.exe
You should ONLY see the following:
o Name: (Default)
o Type: REG_SZ
o Data: exefile
o Name: Content Type
o Type: REG_SZ
o Data: application/x-msdownload
Note: (Data: exefile) is pointing to the location of exefile as you scroll down in the registry (remaining under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT), so if this has any other input than “exefile” it is incorrect and should be changed. Also, if there are any other (Name) besides (Default) and Content Type, they can be deleted.
Click the diamond in front of .exe
You should ONLY see the following:
• PersistentHandler
o Name: (Default)
o Type: REG_SZ
o Data: {will have a set of numbers, letters, dashes}
Note: If there are any other items under .exe besides PersistentHandler, they should be deleted.
Scroll down the list of items under .exe, until you come to
exefile. Note: this is the location in which the (Default) name within .exe was pointing.
• Click the diamond in front of
exefile• Click the diamond in front of shell
• Click the diamond in front of open
o Click command
o Data of both (Default) and IsolatedCommand should be: “%1” %*
• Click diamond in front of runas (located under shell)
o Click command
o Data of both (Default) and IsolatedCommand should be: “%1” %*
Exit the Registry Editor and restart computer.
You should now be able to once again run your executable (exe) files.
