Windows 7 HELP, .exe file association is locked to Notepad

[thejuggernaut]

[Solved] HELP, .exe file association is locked to Notepad

Hello everyone, I am a computer fool who has just jumped on the Win7 bandwagon because i was tired of XP clogging my machine up ( not to mention infested with bugs).
I had wanted to run a .exe/.exc file and somehow, windows determined that Notepad was the best program to open it... the problem is that it has locked every other .exe/,exc file to Notepad, leaving my computer vulnerable. I cannot even open regedit. how do I overcome this niggling issue on an otherwise wonderful os... ?

Machine Specs :
OS : Win 7 Ultimate
Processor : P4HT 3.0GHz mildy clocked to 3.2GHz
RAM: 2GB DDR2
HDD: Main Seagate 500GB 16MB + 3 others

 

[tblount]

Hello everyone, I am a computer fool who has just jumped on the Win7 bandwagon because i was tired of XP clogging my machine up ( not to mention infested with bugs).
I had wanted to run a .exe/.exc file and somehow, windows determined that Notepad\

I have attached a reg file that should reset it. Downlod it and click on it and allow it to merge. Then reboot.

Here is the contents of the reg file:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
;reset exe file association
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithList]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithProgids]
"exefile"=hex(0):

 

[tblount]

Well I don't see the file attachment... I guess I only know how to attach photos.

Anyway. you have to save that code to a text file then name it something .reg and merge it and reboot.

 

[Saltgrass]

Why would notepad be associated with an .exe file?

 

[thejuggernaut]

THANK YOU!!! no worries there, did it.. and is running beautifully now!! thank you again!!

 

[thejuggernaut]

because i am an idiot..

 

[tblount]

Glad to know it works...

 

[RAK]

because i am an idiot..

Lol. Not at all. We all blunder in from time to time!
I think it might be that dreaded "always use this program ..etc" which is the default on a right click "open with".,

 

[thejuggernaut]

ABSOLUTELY THE ISSUE! .. in my version though.. the check box was not uncheckable... it was locked .. so i had not the choice