EXE opening problem

Epic B · Oct 8, 2012

I have a problem. In Windows Explorer in Win7, I had a program highlighted and there was an Open With prompt at the top. Without thinking, I opened the EXE with Notepad, and I couldn't uncheck "always use this program to open this type of file", so now every program except for Windows Wxplorer opening in Notepad. How can I fix this?

Pako · Oct 8, 2012

I would click here first.

Epic B · Oct 8, 2012

That could work, Command Prompt won't open because of what I've done. What else can I try? I got Command Prompt to open by opening EXEs with the program, but it starts in C:\windows\system32 and the command wouldn't didn't work. Okay, command went through the second time, but applications are still tied to Windows Explorer (should have kept it at Notepad). Now what? How can I change to the windows folder from system32?

Pako · Oct 8, 2012

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950505

Epic B · Oct 8, 2012

It worked! Now I know how to fix this. I'm keeping the exe.reg file in case this happens again. I only have one more problem: The application icons are still stuck on Windows Explorer. How can I fix that? My applications open like they're supposed to, but I don't want that stupid Windows Explorer icon in my face every folder.

Pako · Oct 8, 2012

Have you rebooted?

Epic B · Oct 8, 2012

No, I'll try that. I thought that might work.

And it didn't work. It's still giving me the whole Windows Explorer icon thing. What do?

Pako · Oct 8, 2012

Huh, tech note said,

Note You may have to restart the computer to restore the program icons to their original appearance.

Maybe try the reg edit again and immediately reboot.

*shrugs*

You may have to rebuild the icon cache.

Read here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...k/0ea4b235-1543-40df-af5b-7fea0f9a9ee3?auth=1

Epic B · Oct 8, 2012

So use the EXE fixer registry file again and reboot? I'll try that later.

Pako · Oct 8, 2012

Naveek Darkroom
So use the EXE fixer registry file again and reboot? I'll try that later.

I added a link to an article above. Check it out.

Epic B · Oct 8, 2012

Okay, last night I wiped the icon cache, and now the icons of my apps are back to normal. The only traces are the shortcuts, which retain the Windows Explorer icon. I can fix that. Thanks for the help.

Pako · Oct 8, 2012

Great!

Epic B · Oct 8, 2012

Yeah, and the icon problems were fixed after another reboot. Thanks for all the help. Also, the Open With drop down at the top of the Windows Explorer GUI is gone, so it's fixed permanently.