.exe files no longer associated

I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium. I downloaded a program that I have
used on Windows XP. The setup would not execute, so I tried opening it with
WinRAR. All of my .exe files changed to open with WinRAR and then nothing
worked. I uninstalled WinRAR and rebooted. None of the .exe files were
associated with anything. I started associating them one by one and then
figured I would try the System Restore option. This is when I discovered
that I have a real problem. When I try System Restore, it ask me what
program I want to open it with. Does anybody have a simple fix? I do have
the discs that came with the computer.

Try right clicking the executable and click 'Run as Administrator'
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
"krittur" <> wrote in message
news:4C917E02-2615-4B24-BA42-...
> I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium. I downloaded a program that I
> have
> used on Windows XP. The setup would not execute, so I tried opening it
> with
> WinRAR. All of my .exe files changed to open with WinRAR and then nothing
> worked. I uninstalled WinRAR and rebooted. None of the .exe files were
> associated with anything. I started associating them one by one and then
> figured I would try the System Restore option. This is when I discovered
> that I have a real problem. When I try System Restore, it ask me what
> program I want to open it with. Does anybody have a simple fix? I do
> have
> the discs that came with the computer.

I right clicked but it does not give me the option to run as administrator.

"Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]" wrote:

> Try right clicking the executable and click 'Run as Administrator'
> --
> Andre
> Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
> My Vista Quickstart Guide:
> http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
> "krittur" <> wrote in message
> news:4C917E02-2615-4B24-BA42-...
> > I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium. I downloaded a program that I
> > have
> > used on Windows XP. The setup would not execute, so I tried opening it
> > with
> > WinRAR. All of my .exe files changed to open with WinRAR and then nothing
> > worked. I uninstalled WinRAR and rebooted. None of the .exe files were
> > associated with anything. I started associating them one by one and then
> > figured I would try the System Restore option. This is when I discovered
> > that I have a real problem. When I try System Restore, it ask me what
> > program I want to open it with. Does anybody have a simple fix? I do
> > have
> > the discs that came with the computer.
>
>
>

krittur;489347 Wrote:
> I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium. I downloaded a program that I
> have
> used on Windows XP. The setup would not execute, so I tried opening it
> with
> WinRAR. All of my .exe files changed to open with WinRAR and then
> nothing
> worked. I uninstalled WinRAR and rebooted. None of the .exe files were
> associated with anything. I started associating them one by one and
> then
> figured I would try the System Restore option. This is when I
> discovered
> that I have a real problem. When I try System Restore, it ask me what
> program I want to open it with. Does anybody have a simple fix? I do
> have
> the discs that came with the computer.

Hi Krittur,

Go to this site and click on the ".exe" in the grid box and download
the "exefix_vista.zip" file and save it to your desktop. Right click on
it and click "Merge" to add it to your registry. You will have to
confirm the actions as you go. This will fix the .exe default
association back to the correct association.

'File association fixes for Windows Vista'
(http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/105/1/)

Shawn


--
brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
OM\")
*Please post feedback to help others.*

Restore the .exe file association in Windows Vista, after incorrectly
associating it with another application:

http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/165/1/

Courtesy of MVP Ramesh.

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP Windows Shell/User

"krittur" <> wrote in message
news:4C917E02-2615-4B24-BA42-...
> I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium. I downloaded a program that I
> have
> used on Windows XP. The setup would not execute, so I tried opening it
> with
> WinRAR. All of my .exe files changed to open with WinRAR and then nothing
> worked. I uninstalled WinRAR and rebooted. None of the .exe files were
> associated with anything. I started associating them one by one and then
> figured I would try the System Restore option. This is when I discovered
> that I have a real problem. When I try System Restore, it ask me what
> program I want to open it with. Does anybody have a simple fix? I do
> have
> the discs that came with the computer.

Just a side note, but it really bothers me that the default setting for
"always use...." is enabled whenever you open a file with a program other
than the default. If you don't uncheck it, it will alter the file
associations just as it did for this poster. Just a really stupid default
setting, users should have to make a conscious decision to make that change.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Jane C" <> wrote in message
news:BA0A92EF-2F5C-40D8-9693-...
> Restore the .exe file association in Windows Vista, after incorrectly
> associating it with another application:
>
> http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/165/1/
>
> Courtesy of MVP Ramesh.
>
> --
> Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
> Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
> MVP Windows Shell/User
>
> "krittur" <> wrote in message
> news:4C917E02-2615-4B24-BA42-...
>> I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium. I downloaded a program that I
>> have
>> used on Windows XP. The setup would not execute, so I tried opening it
>> with
>> WinRAR. All of my .exe files changed to open with WinRAR and then
>> nothing
>> worked. I uninstalled WinRAR and rebooted. None of the .exe files were
>> associated with anything. I started associating them one by one and then
>> figured I would try the System Restore option. This is when I discovered
>> that I have a real problem. When I try System Restore, it ask me what
>> program I want to open it with. Does anybody have a simple fix? I do
>> have
>> the discs that came with the computer.
>

Rick, I agree with you on that point. Some of the default settings leave a
lot to be desired.

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP Windows Shell/User

"Rick Rogers" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Just a side note, but it really bothers me that the default setting for
> "always use...." is enabled whenever you open a file with a program other
> than the default. If you don't uncheck it, it will alter the file
> associations just as it did for this poster. Just a really stupid default
> setting, users should have to make a conscious decision to make that
> change.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>