You might encounter a situation where you may not be able to open any .exe files or shortcut link files, i.e., EXE or LNK files. You might instead get a “Open with” dialog box, or it may open the file in another program. This happens if the file association of these file extensions may have got corrupted on your Windows 11/10 PC.
EXE files will not open or not working
A corrupted Registry, caused either by bad software or malware or any other reason, can lead to your Windows being unable to open exe file types.
When file associations for executable, batch, or COM files are changed, it could cause your executables not to start. For example, when you try to click open a .exe file the programs will not start, or the Open with box might appear, or Windows will say that it cannot open this file and ask what you would like to use to open the program, or it may start a different program.
Fix broken EXE file association
Before you begin, remember to backup your Registry or create a System Restore Point first.
1] To rectify the situation, I suggest you download and apply the following registry fixes.
- For fixing the .exe file extension download this EXE Fix.
- For fixing the .lnk file extension download this LNK Fix.
Right on the File and Click on Merge.
You will get a warning, asking Are you sure you want to continue.
Click Yes and reboot the system.
2] FixExec is designed to resolve these issues by rebuilding the executable file association’s Windows Registry keys that may have become damaged or corrupted. If the tool detects any of these associations are missing, corrupted, changed or hijacked, the settings will be set back to Windows defaults. FixExec tool will fix the .exe, .bat and .com file associations in Windows. It will also terminate any malicious processes found in typical areas. You can download it from bleepingcomputer.com.
If the icons do not show up correctly, then you might need to rebuild the Icon cache. This post will show you how to reset all File Associations to default in Windows.
Generally speaking, in other situations, you can use our freeware File Association Fixer will let you repair and fix file associations and extensions in a single click. The app offers 18 file association fixes & 26 file association fixes for Windows.
It can be done easily using a simple utility “unassoc.exe”
Download link: http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Unassoc.shtml
Thanks for the suggestion Nitin about that tool has EXE extension, so it will not open until we run the reg file.
I never seen a case where exe/lnk files are failed to open. The only possible case for the failures is either exe is corrupted or lnk has wrong path. You can not do “open with” operation on exe files. Am I missing anything here?
Thanks for the comment Techibee. Lot of cases somehow people open EXE with some other application like Notepad and we can’t revert it back. Such cases we could use this Method. I personally help lot of people with the same issue so though of making it as an article. Just Google it you’ll find of the threads about it.
Hope this answers.
After posting the comment, I have seen few forum threads talking about this. I am curious, how the OS related exe are able to execute when the default program for exe is files is changed. All the installed programs also should fail as the exe assoc is set to notepad that means system should go complete useless.
I haven’t tested it myself mate … But I understand your point that’s why broken EXE extension could be a pain.
Hi,
Download the lnkfix from below location
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=22b3d9789544c9d9&sc=documents&id=22B3D9789544C9D9%21104
Read the info at below location before applying it-
http://am-techzone.blogspot.com/2011/07/default-file-association-for-lnk-files.html
whenever i open the file or application is windows 7 ultimate the error comes adobe reader cannot read this file dnt knw wat to do but this errors comes in all the application and all the icon on the desktop comesas adobe reader pls help me
whenever i open the file or application is windows 7 ultimate the error comes adobe reader cannot read this file dnt knw wat to do but this errors comes in all the application and all the icon on the desktop comesas adobe reader pls help me
how can i run it?its just a word pad
how do i use the exe fix
yea, ur missing ALOT!!
this is common with certain malware.. little trick to prevent the user from running AV instal, notepad scipts, command line, registry!
when i click yes to continue merging it shows “cannot import c:userelcotdesktopLNK fix_twc.reg.not all data was successfully written to registry. some keys are open by the system or other processes. pls tell me suggestion asap
i cant merge it because i cant open an .EXE file
awesome !!
same here !!@@
please someone help meeeeeE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~
:(
really sad nobody hlp me
WTF Dude !!! it worked in Win 10 :D Thank u !!
windows 10 exe corrupt?!
same thing happened to me on windows 10. I had to open regedit and import the registry with the file
THANK YOU
That “.lnk” is the virus that can make my .exe to .lnk ? so after my software/app would not open ?
then this Registry that can help to fix it ?
sorry for my very bad English
This helped me so much! Thank you! :D
When I run .exe file of any program then it stop working