[Solved] .exe files not working in windows xp / vista / 7

I think many of you might have came across this problem which killed my sleep last day. The Executable (.exe) files were not opening and I can’t open any .exe files. Whenever I try to open an .exe file, will give me the “Open with” prompt and I have to choose a program.

If the same is in windows xp, An error comes saying ;-

Windows cannot open this file: xxxxxx.exe.

Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it

Similar problem was found in windows vista too.

Technically it’s a kind of worm – The W32.Sircam.Worm@mm worm virus can cause this issue.  Don’t worry Even if it seems like a Fatal error, It’s not much big and You don’t have to re-install your computer just because this small problems. It just changes the registry entry of the .exe file type and that cause all these problems.

This can be easily resolved in minutes. To resolve this issue, you can reset the registry settings to their default settings. To do this, Justfollow these steps.

1. In windows search, Type in Regedit
2. Right-click Regedit.exe
3. select Run as administrator
4. Browse to the following registry key:HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
5. With .exe selected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
6. Change the Value data: to exefile
7. Browse to and then click on the following registry key:HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
8. With exefileselected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
9. Change the Value data: to “%1” %*
10. Browse to and then click on the following registry key:KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open
11. With openselected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
12. Change the Value data: to “%1” %*
13. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC

Done the problem will be solved.

If you have trouble in making these changes, you may download the default registry settings and modify the Registry changes

Windows 7 .exe Registry fix

Windows xp .exe registry fix

If the problem still pre exist, You may check this post ;-  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555067