If problems emerge when opening the .exe, this may indicate a corrupted file. Alternatively the file may have been developed for an obsolete version of Windows. Check the compatibility of the .exe with your operating system before opening it.
If you can rule out both these errors, the problem may be that Windows no longer knows what to do with the filename extension. In this case, you will need to link the format to the file type again. There are several ways to do this.
Via the command line:
- Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time to open the run dialogue.
- Enter cmd or command in the input field in order to open the command-line interface.
- Enter the following command: assoc .exe=exefile
Via the registry:
- Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time in order to launch the run dialogue.
- Enter the command regedit to open the Registry Editor.
- Open the key named HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.exe. A double-click on the Default key in the right part of the window will open a dialog window. In the Value data field,type exefile and confirm with OK.
- Open the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTexefileshellopencommand folder. In the right area of the window, change the value of the Default key so that it reads as follows: "%1" %*
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your system. You should now be able to open.exe files as usual.