If you are unable to download any exe file in Windows 10 or even on Windows 7/8/8.1, there may be a problem in your Internet Options or Windows Registry needs to be configured correctly. If you cannot open exe or lnk files, then learn how to reset, repair, restore broken EXE file association in Windows 10/8/7. Use FixExec or apply this fix. When you try to open EXE files, you may get errors messages like: 'Access Deny', 'Runtime error' etc. CAUSE Corrupt registry settings or some third party product (or virus) can change the default configuration for running EXE files.
- Open Exe Files On Windows 10
- Windows 7 Can't Open Exe
- Cannot Open Exe Files Windows 10
- Cannot Open Exe Files Windows 10
- Crossover
You might encounter a situation where you may not be able to open any .exe files or shortcut link files, i.e., EXE or LNK files. You might instead get a “Open with” dialog box, or it may open the file in another program. This happens if the file association of these file extensions may have got corrupted on your Windows 10/8/7 PC.
EXE files will not open or not working
A corrupted Registry, caused either by bad software or malware or any other reason, can lead to your Windows being unable to open a particular file type.
When file associations for executable, batch, or COM files are changed, it could cause your executables not to start. For example, when you try to click open a .exe file the programs will not start, or the Open with box might appear, or Windows will say that it cannot open this file and ask what you would like to use to open the program, or it may start a different program.
Fix broken EXE file association
Open Exe Files On Windows 10
1] To rectify the situation, I suggest you download and apply the following registry fixes.
- For fixing the .exe file extension download this EXE Fix.
- For fixing the .lnk file extension download this LNK Fix.
Right on the File and Click on Merge.
You will get a warning, asking Are you sure you want to continue.
Windows 7 Can't Open Exe
Click Yes and reboot the system.
2] FixExec is designed to resolve these issues by rebuilding the executable file association’s Windows Registry keys that may have become damaged or corrupted. If the tool detects any of these associations are missing, corrupted, changed or hijacked, the settings will be set back to Windows defaults. FixExec tool will fix the .exe, .bat and .com file associations in Windows. It will also terminate any malicious processes found in typical areas. You can download it from bleepingcomputer.com.
3] Microsoft has also released a Fix It to fix EXE file association problems. See if it applies to your version of Windows.
If the icons do not show up correctly, then you might need to rebuild the Icon cache. This post will show you how to reset all File Associations to default in Windows 10.
Generally speaking, in other situations, you can use our freeware File Association Fixer will let you repair and fix file associations and extensions in a single click. The app offers 18 file association fixes & 26 file association fixes for Windows.
TIP: Download this tool to quickly find & fix Windows errors automatically
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Method 1:
I suggest you to boot the computer to Safe Mode and check if the issue occurs or not. If not, I would suggest you to set the computer in a clean boot state and check if it helps.
I suggest you to boot the computer to Safe Mode and check if the issue occurs or not. If not, I would suggest you to set the computer in a clean boot state and check if it helps.
Step 1:
Boot the computer to Safe Mode. In Safe Mode computer starts with minimal set of drivers and files.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-10/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode
Boot the computer to Safe Mode. In Safe Mode computer starts with minimal set of drivers and files.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-10/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode
Step 2:
If the issue do not occur in Safe Mode, perform a clean boot and check. Setting the system in a clean boot state will help to identify if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.
If the issue do not occur in Safe Mode, perform a clean boot and check. Setting the system in a clean boot state will help to identify if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.
How to perform a clean boot in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135/en-us
Cannot Open Exe Files Windows 10
Warning: After clean boot troubleshooting steps, refer to the section 'How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot' in the provided link to return your computer to Normal startup mode.
Cannot Open Exe Files Windows 10
Method 2:
If the issue persists, I suggest you to perform SFC (System File Checker) Scan from Safe Mode and check if it helps. SFC scan will scan for corrupt system files on the computer and replace them.
Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833/en-us
If the issue persists, I suggest you to perform SFC (System File Checker) Scan from Safe Mode and check if it helps. SFC scan will scan for corrupt system files on the computer and replace them.
Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833/en-us
Crossover
Hope this information helps. Reply to the post with updated status of the issue so that we can assist you further.