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exe files open with adobe reader

Anonymous
2009-04-02T00:14:11+00:00

i accidentally changed my default thing to adobe reader, how do i turn it back? all my .exe files opens with adobe reader now, System restore doesnt work(adobe reader reads it) i cant uninstall adobe reader, there is no "open with..." on any .exe file options and i tried the default programs thing in control panel and clicked on the protocol etc but i cant find .exe . i cant run any .exe file now coz adobe reader is the default. any help? thanks

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-04-02T08:09:38+00:00

    Hello JohnDeCastro,

    Thank you for posting. 

    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

    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.

    Please let me know if this helps you.

    Zack

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2011-11-19T09:57:24+00:00

    I managed by going to:

    default programs from the start button

    associate a file type or protocol with a program

    found .acrobatsecuritysettings

    double clicked on it clicked on browse and found office word

    it really worked

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2009-12-22T15:57:27+00:00

    I have the same problem but the fils are as 7-Zip File Manager.

    But i cannot open Command prompt to try some of the solutions and have no idea what else to do.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2012-07-05T04:14:59+00:00

    Hey!

    If any of you are having problems with icon associations like Felix, here's a link to help you:

    http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/incorrect-icon-shown-for-a-file-type-in-vista/

    I had the same problem as Felix, and I fixed it with a registry edit.  But the icons remained as the 7-zip logo.  I found this website with about 3 whole hours of searching, and I hope it will help.

    What the link describes is a simple procedure to force a shell icon reset.  Whenever a program is set as default, the system shell forces an icon reset for all programs.  This makes the executable files use the icon originally provided.  That causes all of the icons to appear how they are supposed to.

    Hope I helped you in some way or the other,

    Sanil Chawla.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-28T17:31:08+00:00

    Pretty sure this only works in Windows 7

    Here is the download link.

    http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/21368d1249420595-default-file-type-associations-restore-default\_exe.zip

    1. Click on the file extension type link listed below for the one that you wish to restore to default to download it's .zip file.

    2. Save the .zip file to your desktop.

    3. Open the .zip file, then extract the .reg file to the desktop.

    4. Right click on the .reg file and click on Merge.

    5. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.

    6. Click on Continue(UAC), Yes, and OK when prompted.

    7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .zip and .reg files on the desktop if you like.

    8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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