Windows 10 Exe files not working and registries to them seems corrupted.

[Kourosh]

Hi
I downloaded Samsung Kies to enable me to read the messages on the computer, which were backed up by Smart Switch from my Samsung phone. After installation of the new program, the icon of many programs was replaced with its icon (Kies). Also the programs did not work as they were not considered .exe files. I tried to uninstall the Kies from Apps, but it did not let me to do so. I tried to reinstall the Kies, and then chose uninstall. The Kies icons on the programs changed to blank icons, but still not working. Taskbar manager, Shell, and registry editor won't work because they're also a program. In the safe mode, restore has the date after these, so it didn't work for me. Command prompt works in safe mode. Opened the registry edit, and all entries were correct. Please advise.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're dealing with a rather troublesome situation after installing Samsung Kies, where it's altered the file associations for executable files and affected your system considerably. Here’s a structured approach to address these issues:

1. Restore File Associations​

Since the .exe file associations have been altered, you can manually restore them via the command prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt in Safe Mode: Since you mentioned command prompt works in safe mode, navigate to it.
2. Restore Default File Association: Type the following command and press Enter:

   bash assoc .exe=exefile

3. Fix the Registry Entries: Type the following to restore the default registry key for executables:

   bash reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe" /ve /d exefile /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command" /ve /d "\"%1\" %*" /f

   2. Uninstall Samsung Kies​

   Since Kies cannot be uninstalled conventionally:
   • Use Third-Party Uninstallers: Tools like Revo Uninstaller or IOBit Uninstaller can help remove stubborn programs and clean up remnants such as corrupted registry entries and leftover files.

     3. Perform a System Restore​

     If restoring does not allow you to go back to a point before Kies was installed, consider executing these steps again in normal mode if accessible or find restore points from the relevant date.

     4. Repair Windows​

     If problems persist:
   • Windows Repair: In Safe Mode, execute a Windows repair using installation media. Boot from the installation USB/CD, select "Repair your computer" and follow the prompts for repair.

     5. Backup Important Data​

     Before taking any drastic measures, ensure that you've backed up essential files in case of unexpected data loss.

     Final Thoughts​

     If these issues are still not resolved, consider seeking professional technical support, as diving deeper into registry edits and system repairs comes with risks. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions or if you need assistance with a specific step!