Cannot open .exe file

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Cannot open .exe file

Quasar Pankoza 100

Hi. I'm Quasar. I'm trying to open an .exe file and it won't open and I can only open it via Powershell or Command Prompt. Is there any way to fix it?

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Answer accepted by question author

Michael Taylor 61,226

Is it truly any EXE or just certain ones? Did you post your question here using the machine having the issue? If so then clearly the browser works. You already mentioned Command Prompt works and Explorer must as well. So it must not be all programs.

If you create a shortcut to a program and then click the shortcut does it work?
Is/are the program(s) you're trying to run from the Internet? If so have you unblocked them (properties will show an unblock option)?
Are they setup/installer programs? Do you have the option set in Windows to only allow you to run programs from the MS Store?
Can you run built in programs directly such as notepad and calc?
Can you provide some sample names of EXEs that won't run?

Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-05-01T12:05:08.2833333+00:00

I created a shortcut and clicked on it and it didn't work. And the .exe files that have problems are the setup/installer.
Michael Taylor 61,226 Reputation points

2025-05-01T14:11:46.3433333+00:00
Two things come to mind, as already mentioned.

Ensure the files are not blocked. By default any executable downloaded from the Internet is automatically blocked from running. Right click the file and select Properties. On the General tab, if the file is blocked, then there is an Unblock option. Click the box and click OK to unblock the file.

Is your machine configured to only allow applications from the MS Store? Search for Apps in the Windows search to get to the Apps settings. Then go to Advanced app settings. The Choose where to get apps setting controls whether you can install apps from anywhere or just the MS Store. Set it to Anywhere if you want to run apps not from the store. The recommended is the MS Store only but that is probably too limiting. If you choose the other options AND the program being installed has an MS Store equivalent then it'll send you to the store. So check to see if the app you're installing has an MS Store version. If so then it'll want to use that with those settings.
Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-05-02T04:34:20.38+00:00

Thank you, I went to Setting and saw "The Microsoft Store only" I changed it to Anywhere and it was solved. Sorry for this troublesome problem.

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Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-05-01T12:05:08.2833333+00:00

I created a shortcut and clicked on it and it didn't work. And the .exe files that have problems are the setup/installer.
Michael Taylor 61,226 Reputation points

2025-05-01T14:11:46.3433333+00:00

Two things come to mind, as already mentioned.

Ensure the files are not blocked. By default any executable downloaded from the Internet is automatically blocked from running. Right click the file and select Properties. On the General tab, if the file is blocked, then there is an Unblock option. Click the box and click OK to unblock the file.

Is your machine configured to only allow applications from the MS Store? Search for Apps in the Windows search to get to the Apps settings. Then go to Advanced app settings. The Choose where to get apps setting controls whether you can install apps from anywhere or just the MS Store. Set it to Anywhere if you want to run apps not from the store. The recommended is the MS Store only but that is probably too limiting. If you choose the other options AND the program being installed has an MS Store equivalent then it'll send you to the store. So check to see if the app you're installing has an MS Store version. If so then it'll want to use that with those settings.
Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-05-02T04:34:20.38+00:00

Thank you, I went to Setting and saw "The Microsoft Store only" I changed it to Anywhere and it was solved. Sorry for this troublesome problem.

Answer 1

MotoX80 37,696

What error message do you get? Is this a command line or GUI program? Where did you get this program?

If it's a command line program, like c:\windows\system32\whoami.exe and you double click on it with the Windows explorer, the program will run and then terminate. You might see a window briefly appear and then go away. That's how they work.

GUI programs like C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe display a graphical window and wait to interact with the user.

Some command line programs like C:\Windows\System32\netsh.exe, open and wait for user input. They will open a command prompt or Terminal window and wait the user to type in a command.

It all depends on the program that you are running.

Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-04-26T23:44:51.5733333+00:00

When I open any .exe file by double-clicking or right-clicking and pressing Open, it only shows a Microsoft Store window and then closes. But when I open it with cmd, it works normally.

MotoX80 37,696

When did this start? What changes did you make just prior to this starting? Did you make any registry changes or install some software?

Open a command prompt and run this command.

reg.exe query HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\ /s

How does it compare to my pc?

C:\>reg.exe query HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\ /s
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open
    EditFlags    REG_BINARY    00000000
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command
    (Default)    REG_SZ    "%1" %*
    IsolatedCommand    REG_SZ    "%1" %*
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas
    HasLUAShield    REG_SZ
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command
    (Default)    REG_SZ    "%1" %*
    IsolatedCommand    REG_SZ    "%1" %*
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runasuser
    (Default)    REG_SZ    @shell32.dll,-50944
    Extended    REG_SZ
    SuppressionPolicyEx    REG_SZ    {F211AA05-D4DF-4370-A2A0-9F19C09756A7}
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runasuser\command
    DelegateExecute    REG_SZ    {ea72d00e-4960-42fa-ba92-7792a7944c1d}

Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-04-27T13:08:38.0133333+00:00
I executed that command and got the following response:

C:\Users\win10>reg.exe query HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\ /s

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell

(Default) REG_SZ open

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open

EditFlags REG_BINARY 00000000 (Default) REG_SZ

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

(Default) REG_SZ "%1" %* IsolatedCommand REG_SZ "%1" %*

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas

HasLUAShield REG_SZ

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command

(Default) REG_SZ "%1" %* IsolatedCommand REG_SZ "%1" %*

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runasuser

(Default) REG_SZ @shell32.dll,-50944 Extended REG_SZ SuppressionPolicyEx REG_SZ {F211AA05-D4DF-4370-A2A0-9F19C09756A7}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runasuser\command

DelegateExecute REG_SZ {ea72d00e-4960-42fa-ba92-7792a7944c1d}
MotoX80 37,696 Reputation points

2025-04-27T13:19:19.5033333+00:00

That looks ok.

So when did this start? You had to do something to cause this. Were you changing permissions on folders? Did you install/uninstall some software?
Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-04-28T04:36:29.3333333+00:00

I did nothing before the error occurred. :\
MotoX80 37,696 Reputation points

2025-04-28T11:59:34.1666667+00:00

You had to do something.

This is not Windows default behavior. Again, when did this start? Last week? Last month? What were you doing around the time that this started?

What programs are you trying to run? Do all Windows programs do this? Navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and double click on notepad.exe. Does that run?

Did you install a 3rd party antivirus product? Or were you playing with Defender (security) settings? Antivirus software would be a likely suspect that would block executables, but I don't know why the Store app window would launch.

Is Windows Update working for you? Have you installed all available updates? In Settings, check the Windows Update History, expand the Definition Updates section and verify that Defender Security Intelligence Updates are getting installed.
Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-04-29T05:08:55.6733333+00:00

I remember this happening almost a month ago. I navigated to C:\Windows\System32 and tried to open cmd.exe and it ran. I don't have a 3rd party antivirus installed, I just use Defender. I didn't do anything to it because I know it's important. And Windows Update still works for me. I have all available updates installed. And security updates installed.
MotoX80 37,696 Reputation points

2025-04-29T11:41:58.22+00:00

I navigated to C:\Windows\System32 and tried to open cmd.exe and it ran.

So that worked? Can you successfully run other System32 programs like notepad.exe and eventvwr.exe?
Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-04-29T13:28:44.34+00:00

It was working when I opened it.
MotoX80 37,696 Reputation points

2025-04-29T13:34:50.7+00:00

So what programs are you trying to run that don't run? Are they all apps that you installed from the MS Store?
Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-04-29T13:53:52.1066667+00:00

I run the .exe file to install 3rd party software like Audacity, Bandicam. I install from the software's official website, not from the Microsoft Store.
MotoX80 37,696 Reputation points

2025-04-29T14:19:02.3133333+00:00

Quasar, you have to keep in mind that we can't see your screen. We don't know what exactly you are doing. If you just comment in general terms, then we have to assume or guess as to what you are doing. Please be specific.

You commented "When I open any .exe file by double-clicking or right-clicking and pressing Open, it only shows a Microsoft Store window"

Does "any .exe" really mean ANY EXE? That's why I've been asking you to run System32 programs. We need to establish what programs you can't run.

Please tell us the names of the programs that you are trying to run. Are these programs already installed? Does the Start menu work? Are you having a problem running any program via the Start menu?

Does your problem only apply to exe files that you downloaded from some web site and you saved in the Downloads folder?
Quasar Pankoza 100 Reputation points

2025-05-01T02:51:51.28+00:00

At first I thought the problem was with any .exe file but I found out the problem is only with the Downloads, Documents, Music, Pictures, Desktop folders, except for the .exe files in the system folder or program folders in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86).
MotoX80 37,696 Reputation points

2025-05-01T11:58:46.8+00:00

The only thing that might make sense is something related to Defender or the SmartApp control. Did you make any security setting changes?

Have you reviewed your Application and System eventlogs for strange errors?

Have you done a full Defender scan or ran MSRT (C:\Windows\System32\MRT.exe)?

I going to suggest that you try the "find a friend" solution. You see, I have this neighbor, and every time that he has a problem with his pc he calls me on the phone and tries to explain what it's doing and invariably, I tell him to STOP, STOP. Then I walk down to his house and sit in front of his pc and take a look around at what he's done. I check the event logs, see what programs he has installed, and sometimes run trace tools like Process Monitor.

It's just so much easier to troubleshoot strange errors while right in front of the pc than it is to try to explain to someone; "now type this in, look for xxxxxx".

That's the situation we're in with this problem. This forum works best when a user asks about a problem that we've seen before or can recreate on own machines.

I don't know why your pc would be displaying a Windows Store popup when you try to run certain programs.

Do you know someone who works in either desktop or server support? Ask them to sit down in front of your pc and take a look around. See if you can find someone who has experience running Process Monitor. That's the tool that I would use to try to figure out what your pc is doing. But it takes an experienced admin to be able to look at the capture and figure out what's going on.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/procmon

@Michael Taylor any thoughts?

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Cannot open .exe file

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