All programs opening up in IE.

[etereys7]

I think I accidentally selected the option to open up all files in Internet
Explorer when I got a pop-up requesting it when I tried opening a valid file.

Anyone know how to restore this on Windows Vista?! HELP! I can't open MOST
of my files (especially critical ones), let alone Internet Explorer or
Firefox, only this Safari browser!

Somehow my Trash Bin icon has disappeared from my desktop and I can't even
click on the Change Desktop Icons link after I right-click -> Personalize
because of the above problem. -_-

Arrgh!

 

[Mick Murphy]

Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore>Put it back in time to
before your changes!

 

[etereys7]

I should've said that all .exe files on my computer are trying to open up in
IE, which in Vista is popping up with that File Download - Security Warning
window. So I choose Run on that window, which then gives me another pop-up
entitled "Internet Explorer - Security Warning". So I choose Run on that as
well, and that opens up IE and gives me yet another pop-up entitled "File
Download - Security Warning". So I choose Run from that also. And it goes
back to the Internet Explorer - Security Warning pop-up and I choose Run
again and the loop between the IE and File Download Security Warning pop-ups
continues until I quit.

The System Restore file evidently goes this same route, so that's a no-go,
it seems. @_@

 

[etereys7]

I guess in other words what I am asking is: how do I change how I open a file
type when I've already (whether accidentally or intentionally) chosen once
before?

Windows Vista isn't giving me an option in Right-Click at least. I'm not
seeing anything in Control Panel, that I know of yet.

Hope this helps to clarify my predicament a little better.

Thanks for your speedy response too, Mick.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You can run system restore from the Vista installation dvd by booting with
it and selecting the appropriate options.

 

[Charles W Davis]

etereys7,

Start > Help and Support. Search for "default programs" (without the
quotes). Choose "Change which programs Winsows uses by default"
Good luck!

 

[etereys7]

Thanks, Charles. This works, but only for the default programs, of which I
was only able to reset one on that list.

I need to know how to reset ALL ".EXE" files, not just default programs. I
can't even run my spyware with this problem.

In: Control Panel -> Programs -> Default Programs .... the 4th link (of
the four listed) is an .EXE link [ComputerDefaults.exe], thus I cannot open
this one either.

 

[etereys7]

Vista actually came installed on this computer. So no boot CD. -_-

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

http://www.winhelponline.com/articl...-associating-it-with-another-application.html

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
The Winhelponline Blog: http://www.winhelponline.com/blog
Windows® Troubleshooting: http://www.winhelponline.com

I should've said that all .exe files on my computer are trying to open up in
IE, which in Vista is popping up with that File Download - Security Warning
window. So I choose Run on that window, which then gives me another pop-up
entitled "Internet Explorer - Security Warning". So I choose Run on that as
well, and that opens up IE and gives me yet another pop-up entitled "File
Download - Security Warning". So I choose Run from that also. And it goes
back to the Internet Explorer - Security Warning pop-up and I choose Run
again and the loop between the IE and File Download Security Warning pop-ups
continues until I quit.

The System Restore file evidently goes this same route, so that's a no-go,
it seems. @_@

 

[Karl Snooks]

Associate a protocol, e.g., MailTo with a specific program such as Microsoft
Outlook

Associate a file extension, e.g., .1st (as in ReadMe.1st) with a specific
program such as NotePad
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Control Panel » Programs » Default Programs » Associate a file type or
protocol with a program » select desired file extension or protocol (note:
protocols are at the end of that long list.) » Change program… button »
select desired program » OK your way out

karl