📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses a recurring error (-1073741818) affecting the user, Chazkof, when attempting to run applications like the Nexus Mods Manager and Avast on Windows, causing most apps to fail to open. Neemobeer suggests that the issue may stem from corrupted shell extensions and recommends editing specific registry keys related to executable file associations to resolve it. When that approach might not work, BIGBEARJEDI recommends using System Restore to revert the system to a previous state, with both emphasizing that booting into recovery mode may be necessary due to the inability to run executables.
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Chazkof

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Thread Author #1
Hi all.
Earlier I was trying to install the nexus mods manager for skyrim. Upon trying to run the .exe I
got the message:
"ShellExecuteEx failed; code -1073741818" a google found no one else who had had the same problem so I opened avast to scan for a virus, when trying to open avast I got the message: "File system error (-1073741818)"
It turns out i get that message whilst trying to open almost all apps (including command prompt so couldn't run an sfc /scannow)
Does anyone know about this bug/error and have anyway to fix it?

Tia
 

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Solution
Neemobeer
Your shell extensions may have been screwed up. You will need to boot into a recovery disc or something like Hiren's boot disc where you can edit the registry. There are three of the exefile keys
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\exefile
In each of these will be a shell\open\command key the default value on these needs to be "%1" %* on all of them
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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

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#2
Your shell extensions may have been screwed up. You will need to boot into a recovery disc or something like Hiren's boot disc where you can edit the registry. There are three of the exefile keys
  • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\exefile
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\exefile
In each of these will be a shell\open\command key the default value on these needs to be "%1" %* on all of them
 

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Solution
BIGBEARJEDI

BIGBEARJEDI

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#3
If neemo's registry fixes don't work, you might consider rolling your system back to a point in time prior to your installing the Skyrim skins manager app using Windows System Restore. :)

<<<BIGBEARJEDI>>>
 

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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

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#4
Yeah @BIGBEARJEDI that would probably be a quicker fix, would need to boot into the recovery mode since no exe will run. That or it's malware blocking exe's from running.
 

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