can't open .exe files windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

I understand your concern regarding the issue that you are facing.

1. What happens when you try to open the file?
2. Are you getting any error message?
3. Did you make any changes prior to this issue?
4. Have you installed Microsoft Office in the system?

Reply with necessary information and I’ll be happy to help you further

• Open Command Prompt (run as admin) type  cd\windows
• Press "Windows key + R" on your keyboard type regedit
• locate HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.exe in the right side pane change the value of Default key to exefile
• On the registry editor go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command
• in the right side pane change the value of Default key to "%1" %*
• then restart your computer

Hi Derek,

Thank you for keeping us updated on this issue.

• Are you facing the same issue with a specified .exe file or all types of .exe files?
• Is this the same file you used to face issue with in Windows 8.1?

If you are facing the same issue with all files, please follow the steps below and check:

1. Press Windows key+ R to open Run command.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Search for Windows Installer and if it is stopped, right click on it and click on Start.

Please post us with the results and information to help you better.

Thank you.

I know this thread is old, but I'm posting this here just in case others have this same problem.  

In my case, I started with a new machine with Windows 10 installed on it.  I downloaded a file with an exe extension and another with a zip extension.  When I double clicked on the exe file to execute it, it would bring up the window asking me to choose the program to run the file with. The same issue happened with the zip file. After several frustrating hours trying to figure out what was going on with this, I copied the zip file over to another computer and double clicked on it.  Same thing happened.  As it turns out, upon download, the browser or computer is  changing the "." before the extension to "_".  I changed the "_" to a "." and all is well.

1. It says open with...& gives me a list of useless programs on my computer and a place to click for other useless things that I don't know which of the listed programs would work.