All .exe files suddenly fail to run

[Lee]

When I select ANY executable application file or short-
cuts to an EXE file to run it, a unexpected thing happens:
my adobe acrobat reader is launched. When I right-click
an EXE icon to select another application to run the file,
all the EXE applications will launch as another
application -- such as word pad, or msPaint. ALL shortcut
and program ICONS now change in appearance to word pad or
msPaint or acrobat reader.

Please advise.
Lee

 

[Vicky Vale]

if you are comfortable with regedit follow these instructions to check my
theory.

click start -> run -> regedit

if regedit doesn't start and you get same error as previous then rename
c:\windows regedit.exe to regedit.com and try running now.

look for this

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

the entry should be
(default) REG_SZ "%1" %*
If not, change it to this.

if you had to rename regedit then now change it back.

 

[Lee]

I'll give it a try tonight, thanks Vicky!

-----Original Message-----
if you are comfortable with regedit follow these instructions to check my
theory.

click start -> run -> regedit

if regedit doesn't start and you get same error as previous then rename
c:\windows regedit.exe to regedit.com and try running now.

look for this

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

the entry should be
(default) REG_SZ "%1" %*
If not, change it to this.

if you had to rename regedit then now change it back.





.

 

[Lee]

I curious what your thoughts are about what caused this?