EXE default association problem windows7

Question

My not so smart brother somehow changed the association of all executables (.exe) to Windows Media Center and now the only program that I can open is Google Chrome.  How can I change the association back to windows explorer.  By the way, not even command promp opens.  The operating system is Windows 7 Home Premium.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Frito182

Welcome to Microsoft Answers!

When you run an .exe file on a Windows 7-based computer, the file may start a different program. Additionally, the icon for the .exe file may not appear as expected. You may also receive additional errors from the .exe file or from the program that starts.

To get over with the issue download the ‘Fix It’ from the below given link and run it. This will fix the issue. If the 'Fix It' does not run then try to follow the steps in the article.

When you run an .exe file on a Windows Vista-based or Windows 7-based computer, the file may start a different program

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950505

Hope this information is helpful.

Amrita M

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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Answer 2

Hello Frito182,

Thank you for posting to the Microsoft Answers Forum.

In addition to what Amrita has stated, you can reset the file associations.

Resetting the file associations should help with your issue.

Open the Control Panel (All Items view) and click on the Default Programs icon.

Click on the Set your default programs link.

In the left column, select (highlight) a listed program that you want to change it's default file associations for.

To Set All of the Default Associations to the Program -

NOTE: This will associate the selected program as the default used by Windows 7 to open all of the file types and protocols that it can open.

Click on Set this program as default.

Click on the Save button to apply.

Please reply back and let us know if this helped with your issue as it may benefit others with the same problem.

Sincerely,

---

Marilyn

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

Answer 3

The problem with this solution is that it doesn't work for most applications.  Example: here's what is suggested:

"Click on the Set your default programs link.

In the left column, select (highlight) a listed program"

But only a few programs are listed, usually obscure Microsoft applications Like "Microsoft Silverlight".  My installed applications aren't displayed as possible selections.  I can manually journey to my applications and find the one I want, but it's not possible for _MY_ applications to be set as the default.  Only the ones that Win7 has suggested are permitted.

How do I get _MY_ (bought & paid for) applications to be set as the default application for a file type?

Answer 4

Os: Windows 7 Home Premium OEM

I came across a case where ALL executables were associated with Windows Media Center so (cmd, regedit or even set program access and computer default) were opened automatically with WMC. A few shortcuts  like win + e or ctrl + shift + Esc worked but that's it. I could not lose anymore time with this intervention so I created a new profile, check if the associations were corrupted or not;  Fortunately it was not. I deleted the old corrupted profile, transferred user files to the new one.  Voila

I may be wrong but developers should create something like a Super Admin Profile that can only set up during windows installation or in an advanced fashion way because every computer owner: mostly unexperienced ones can set himself / herself as admin.....and mess up with everything.  The little "Why is a standard account recommended" in User Accounts > Manage Accounts > Create New Account  is not enough

I'm asking myself right now why changing the association of executable files are even possible?

Sorry for any mistakes....English is not my mother tongue

System Administrator (Windows) & Support Tech

Answer 5

There is also a Fixit to help solve this problem.  See http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/950505