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Unable to open .EXE files; .EXE files open with
Internet Security 2019
HOME BUSINESS PARTNERS COMPANY LABS
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other applications
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security-2019/)
Bitdefender (//www.bitdefender.com/) » Support (//www.bitdefender.com/support/) »Consumer (//www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html) » Unable to open .EXE files; .EXE files open with other applications
Antivirus Plus 2019
(/support/consumer/antivirus-plus-
2019/)
When it comes to problems with .EXE files, some users experienced errors, while others reported that nothing
happened when they opened such a file. There were even cases in which users received messages saying they For MAC
had viruses on their systems.
Antivirus for Mac
(/support/consumer/antivirus-for-
No matter the cause, this problem can be fixed by choosing one of the methods described below: mac/)
Method 1
For Mobile
1. Click on your desktop. Now hold the Windows key on your keyboard and press the R key to open a
Run dialog box. Mobile Security
(/support/consumer/mobile-
2. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd or command in the dialog box.
security/)
3. Type the following command:
Antivirus Free for Android
cd\windows (/support/consumer/free-for-
4. Now type the regedit command to open the Registry Editor: android/)

NOTE: If you can't use regedit, press CTRL+ALT+DEL and select Task Manager. Select the Parental Advisor for Mobile
File menu, hold the CTRL key and click on New Task. In the new Command Prompt window, (/support/consumer/parental-
type regedit.exe and press Enter. advisor-mobile/)

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Older versions
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Virus Scanner Plus


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4. Now go to the key named HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe. On the right side, double click on
Virus Scanner
the Default key and type exefile in the Value data field. Now click on OK.
(/support/consumer/virus-scanner/)
5. Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command. In right-side of the screen, change the
value of Default key to the one presented below: HOME BUSINESS PARTNERS COMPANY LABS
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"%1" %*
Bitdefender (//www.bitdefender.com/) » Support (//www.bitdefender.com/support/) »Consumer (//www.bitdefender.com/support/consumer.html) » Unable to open .EXE files; .EXE files open with other applications

6. Exit Registry Editor and restart your system and you should be able to open EXE normally.

Method 2

1. Click on your desktop. Now hold the Windows key on your keyboard and press the R key to open a
Run dialog box.

2. Open Command Prompt by typing cmd or command in the dialog box.

3. Type the command presented below:

assoc .exe=exefile

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