ascii code

Hello, Ok, here is my problem Each time i open a .exe file it opens with Notepad, and i see some ASCII code! now, i searched many forums, and they all says "Open Regedit" and bla bla bla".. or "Open cmd and bla bla bla".. ok that's amazing BUT! regedit.EXE, and cmd.EXE are .EXE...