Vista - ALL .exe files dont work

I was trying to figure out why a program wouldn't work so I tried to
open it with a different program to look at the code, not only did it
not work, now ALL my .exe files try to open with a different program. I
can pick any program I want, but I can't figure out how to make them go
back to opening themselves or however it is .exe's work. (WordPad is the
current one, no point in adding more things to the list of defualt
programs, which has 4 atm, and I seemingly can't remove things from- If
I could I wouldn't have this problem.)
I tried to do a system restore, but the program that does the restoring
is a .exe apperantly, so when I clicked the restore button on control
panel WORDPAD SHOWED UP!
I can still get to some programs in a roundabout way by tell the
computer to "open with" some dumby document with the program, but that
only works for a few things.
I went to default program manager on the control panel but .exe isn't
on the list because, apperantly, you're not ment to be able to change
the defualt opening program for them (lest this happens).
Note: The "open with" command doesn't normally show on .exe files. It
seems it did for me because the .exe was in a .rar folder.

Pleese help, my computer isn't useless at the moment, even startup
programs try to open in word, I restarted my computer and WordPad showed
up 21 times.

I originally posted this in the help, but there is 1 person there, and
112 here, since this is completely nerfing my comp, I kinda need an
answer fast. Also I have seen other people ask questions here, so I
thought it would be ok.


--
Timothy
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

Try renaming WordPad.exe so that it can't open then try restore. Other wise
you'll be making a trip to the registry.


"Timothy" <Timothy.340u8e@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in message
news:Timothy.340u8e@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...

regedt32.exe (which I believe to be the registry) is just that, a .exe!
renaming/move take the thing off the recomended programs list, but if i
change it back it comes back, and there are 5 things on the list I would
have to move;
IE,wordpad,Mircosoft Works,Microsoft Media Center, and ZSNES (a snes
emulator)
all of those save the last are a pain to find and move.


--
Timothy
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

So after renaming WordPad you were unable to do a system restore? What
happens then? Microsoft works opens up? Since your response is close to
incoherent, you can't be taken seriously in wanting to solve your problem,
and won't find many willing to waste any time on you.


"Timothy" <Timothy.3412ke@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in message
news:Timothy.3412ke@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...

Hi Timothy,

MVP Ramesh has a fix here:

http://www.winhelponline.com/article...ows-Vista.html

Select the one for .exe files.

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP Windows Desktop Experience

"Timothy" <Timothy.340u8e@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in message
news:Timothy.340u8e@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...

Control Panel>>Programs>>Default program>>Make a file type always open
in a
specific program>>Go down the long list of file extensions and change
programs.
doesn't work, already tried. .exe isn't on the list because your not
supposed to be able open it with some else, because, well, this happens

So after renaming WordPad you were unable to do a system restore? What
happens then? Microsoft works opens up?
yes and kinda yes
if the current defualt program is moved/renamed then the choose defualt
program window comes up and the remaining programs are in the recommened
field.

I have found a "fix" though. I would seem these kinda of defualts don't
caring between users, so I made another user and it works fine, but now
I have the arduous process of transfering the files I need and change a
bunch of settings. still, better than nothing.
I also know how I can fix it if I could just open cmd.exe, and I'm
working on a workaround to get to it.
assoc .exe=exefile
should redefine .exe's association to what it should be -if- I can get
into cmd.

also; Cameron, aside from a few typos (which I'll fix now I've notice
them), my response said exactly what I ment, you just didn't get it,
don't be so quick to flame.


--
Timothy
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

From the same site Jane C mentioned below is this page that further explains
the fix.

http://www.winhelponline.com/article...plication.html

I hope it works for you without the create new user mess.

"Timothy" <Timothy.341awk@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in message
news:Timothy.341awk@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...

uhg. I got the fix on my desktop, but when I tried to merge it I got an
error:
Cannot import C:\Users\Timothy\Desktop\exefix_vista.reg: error
accessing the registry.
I don't know why it would do this.
btw the text contents of the fix is as follows:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.EXE]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.EXE\PersistentHandler]
@="{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]
@="Application"
"EditFlags"=hex:38,07,00,00
"FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,\

00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,\

32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,\
00,2c,00,2d,00,31,00,30,00,31,00,35,00,36,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon]
@="%1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open]
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"
"IsolatedCommand"="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"
"IsolatedCommand"="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\DropHandler]
@="{86C86720-42A0-1069-A2E8-08002B30309D}"

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\UserChoice]


--
Timothy
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

It is probably only the userchoice key that needs to be changed. See the
link I listed above. Use command.com not cmd.exe to open regedit and see if
changing just that key will solve the problem. Command.com same as cmd.exe
won't invoke the exe association problem.


"Timothy" <Timothy.342b0h@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in message
news:Timothy.342b0h@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...

Timothy,

Are you using an account that has administrator privileges?

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP Windows Desktop Experience

"Timothy" <Timothy.342b0h@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in message
news:Timothy.342b0h@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...