ALL executables (.exe) opening with Abobe Reader when clicked

[Guest]

When a program icon on the start menu is clicked, or an attempt is made to
RUN cmd.exe from the start menu, or an executable is clicked from within
explorer, Abobe Reader starts (and says that it can't read that file). The
only way I've found to run executables is to right click on them in explorer
and then choose "OPEN". If I start \windows\system32\cmd.exe that way, I can
also start other executables from the command line.

I've tried a "repair" from CD, and tried the both the "exe file association
fix" and lnk (shortcut) file association fix found in
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm.
Neither worked.

I then uninstalled Adobe (from the command line, of course) using C:\Program
Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Setup Files\RdrBig705\ENU\setup.exe -UW. Once
rebooted, things worked as expected again (I can run executables in the
normal way).

I then reinstalled Acrobat Reader from scratch and the problem came right
back. If I uninstall it, it goes away again. I'd like to install Actobat
Reader. Does anyone know what could be causing this behavior and how I could
fix it so that .exe works WITH Acrobat installed? I'm baffled.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Leave Adobe Reader dumped, get Foxit Reader.

Foxit Reader for Windows
Small, Fast, Clean, and FREE PDF Reader for Everyday Use
Download link at the bottom of the page
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

..EXE files always open with Notepad or any other application ?:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/exeasso.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


When a program icon on the start menu is clicked, or an attempt is made to
RUN cmd.exe from the start menu, or an executable is clicked from within
explorer, Abobe Reader starts (and says that it can't read that file). The
only way I've found to run executables is to right click on them in explorer
and then choose "OPEN". If I start \windows\system32\cmd.exe that way, I
can
also start other executables from the command line.

I've tried a "repair" from CD, and tried the both the "exe file association
fix" and lnk (shortcut) file association fix found in
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm.
Neither worked.

I then uninstalled Adobe (from the command line, of course) using C:\Program
Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Setup Files\RdrBig705\ENU\setup.exe -UW. Once
rebooted, things worked as expected again (I can run executables in the
normal way).

I then reinstalled Acrobat Reader from scratch and the problem came right
back. If I uninstall it, it goes away again. I'd like to install Actobat
Reader. Does anyone know what could be causing this behavior and how I
could
fix it so that .exe works WITH Acrobat installed? I'm baffled.