An executable file or .exe is a blazon of file on Windows that denotes an installed program or awarding. An executable file is a file that can be executed past the operating system. When yous click on an .exe file, the system is able to run the corresponding program because the file is in a format that information technology tin can read and "execute".

Every native Windows awarding, installed program, and downloaded game has an .exe component, which is the principal program file. Without this file, the program would be simply a collection of useless files. The .exe file format is the default application mode on all iterations of the Windows operating system.

Usually, once a programme is installed, you tin can click its desktop icon and run the programme. The icon is linked to the master executable file, so once it'south clicked, the program loads and starts running.

In some cases, peculiarly for small programs, you accept to click the actual executable file. Simply, fifty-fifty and so, the principle remains the same.

So, what happens if Windows cannot open an .exe file after you've clicked on information technology? Many users accept been complaining nigh this in Windows forums and looking for how to fix an .exe file that won't open. As per these users, clicking on the application file does nothing or displays the "Can't open .exe file" error notification.

All indications are that this upshot is happening on the latest version of Windows x, and then it'south unlikely to be linked to using an erstwhile operating system. Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 users alike have expressed their frustration about it.

As with basically every Windows outcome, solutions abound. Notwithstanding, it would be great to know what caused an issue and then that adequate steps can be taken to avoid it happening over again once information technology'southward been solved.

And so, if you've been facing the issue of existence unable to open .exe files on Windows 10, this article will be your guide. At least one of the solutions given should resolve your state of affairs.

"Why Can't I Run EXE Files in Windows 10?"

Of all the file types that piece of work on Windows, the executable file format is perhaps the virtually "natural". It is associated with the Windows operating organisation and is expected to just work. So, when an executable file is clicked and nothing happens, it should be surprising.

There are several reasons why clicking an .exe file might not consequence in a loading app or open program. Here is a rundown of the major causes:

  • Organization issues. Windows is a labyrinth of files, components, drivers, and configurations, and random conflicts might occur. Corrupt organization files or faulty components can preclude the user from successfully opening an application file.
  • Viruses and their kindred are a considerable threat to the integrity of Windows operations. If malware infiltrates a computer, it can do a wide range of harm, including preventing apps from opening.
  • Bad shortcut. Most installed programs are opened via a desktop shortcut. If the shortcut has been compromised by malware, it may target the wrong source, thus being unable to open the parent application. Furthermore, the shortcut might take become decadent, significant it no longer works. This would make using information technology to open the main awarding a fruitless endeavor.
  • Corrupt registry entry. Once more, this might be indirectly attributed to malware infection. Some types of threats change the registry settings on the computer and mess up the system's processes. If the registry entry that handles .exe files has been corrupted, the user might have problems with executing apps and programs.
  • Tertiary-political party tools. Some third-party programs can change the default configuration of executable files on the computer without authorization. When you download a program from the Net, another one might become installed alongside it if yous don't cull Custom Install and disable it. The unwanted program might change the organisation'south properties, thus causing issues with opening .exe files.

With the common causes of this issue at present articulate, you're going to learn how to enable .exe files in Windows 10. The issue is not likewise difficult to resolve. You can utilize the all-time workarounds and hacks given in this guide.

How to Fix a Program File Not Opening in Windows 10

If yous cannot launch the executable file for a sure program, it means you'll have to go without the app, service, program or game's functionality for as long equally the issue persists. This is plainly unacceptable since using programs is the whole point of a reckoner.

When this happens, you must find a solution immediately. Since this is why you're here, you can dive into the collection of possible fixes listed in this guide. You lot tin either piece of work your manner downwards or jump to a fix y'all haven't tried yet depending on how deep yous've gone with the troubleshooting.

  1. Check the system for malware

There is a wide variety of malware out in that location, and some malicious entities can preclude you from opening .exe files on your figurer.

If your PC has been invaded by malicious software and you cannot open executable files, this is probably the cause. You lot'd have to go rid of the threats first to restore full functionality to Windows.

Here, you might consider yourself spoilt for pick. Apart from the pre-installed Windows Defender, you might have a preferred tool to eliminate threats. There's never too much of a good thing when it comes to ensuring your computer's safety: nosotros recommend you endeavor Auslogics Anti-Malware to articulate out all damaging software on your calculator.

Auslogics Anti-Malware works great as a secondary security choice, then in that location's no demand for you to nada your principal antivirus. Once y'all've downloaded and installed the tool, run it with admin rights and use the total scan option to requite your organisation a thorough security check.

RECOMMENDED

Protect PC from Threats with Anti-Malware

Check your PC for malware your antivirus may miss and get threats safely removed with Auslogics Anti-Malware

DOWNLOAD NOW

Once yous've eliminated discovered threats from your computer, make sure to reboot information technology, and you lot should now be able to open up your favorite programs without any abrasive .exe mistake.

To get the all-time results, you might have to perform this set after enabling Safe Style.

  1. Mend the .exe file clan

If you get the Open With dialog box when you click an executable file, information technology means that at that place's a file association issue on Windows. This can also happen if the system tries to open the file in another program instead of but loading it outright.

When the file associations for .exe files are changed, your programme, game or app might not beginning. Instead, you lot get an opportunity to use another app to open the file. Or yous become nothing.

A corrupt file association is an effect many Windows users don't know how to resolve. Luckily, you can utilize the Command Prompt program to rapidly re-associate executable files with the .exe file type. All you need to do is enter a single command.

To do this, launch the Command Prompt with admin rights. Correct-click the Commencement carte du jour and select Control Prompt (Admin) from the list. If the option has been replaced, blazon "cmd" into Search and click "Run as administrator" under Command Prompt in the search results.

If the Command Prompt won't open normally, open File Explorer, become to C/Windows/System32 and search for "cmd.exe". Correct-click the file and select "Run as administrator".

When the Control Prompt opens, type or paste the line beneath and hit the Enter cardinal to run the command:

assoc .exe=exefile

This will re-establish the association between executable files and the .exe file extension. You shouldn't encounter further issues when you click on an app or program file.

  1. Change executable file parameters in the registry

When values in the registry are inverse, it can forbid y'all from opening executable files. Each major file type has its opening parameters recorded in the registry, and when the values that bear on executable files are modified, the system might no longer be able to load the files when clicked.

Yous can go into the registry to check if this is the case and change the keys back to their default values if needed.

The first step is to open the Registry Editor. Type "regedit" into Search and hit the Enter key to quickly open up the Registry Editor app. The next step is to create a registry backup. This could prove useful later on if something goes wrong and yous demand to restore the registry to the mode it was. Correct-click Computer in the left pane of the Registry Editor and select Export. When the Export window opens, give the fill-in a name, cull a familiar location for the file, and then click Export.

Next, use the left-hand side to navigate to the path below or utilise the path bar:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe

Head over to the right pane and double-click the Default primal. Bank check that the value in the Value Data field is "exefile". If the Value Data field displays any other value, clear it and change the value to "exefile". Click OK to confirm the change.

Next, apply the left-manus side to navigate to the path below or use the path bar:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\vanquish\open\command

Head over to the right pane, double-click the Default key, and change the value in the Value Data field to "%1" %* and click OK to confirm the change.

Finally, navigate to the path beneath in the Registry Editor:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile

Like earlier, move to the right pane, double-click the Default fundamental, and change the value in the Value Information field to "%ane" %* and click OK to confirm the change.

When you've made these three changes, shut the Registry Editor and reboot your system. In one case you log back in, whatsoever executable file you click should open up instantly.

  1. Try a dissimilar user account

Several users mentioned that simply using a different user account had solved the problem for them. If yous've so far been unsuccessful in fixing the issue, yous tin can endeavor this method also.

If it works, you can merely copy or movement your files to the new account and keep using it.

Here'southward how to create a new user account on Windows 10:

  1. Open Settings and select Accounts.
  2. On the left pane, select "Family & other users".
  3. Head over to the right and select "Add someone else to this PC" under "Other users".
  4. On the "How volition this person sign in?" screen, click the "I don't have this person's sign-in information" link.
  5. On the next screen, click the "Add together a user without a Microsoft account" link.
  6. And then enter the credentials for the new user account and click Next.

Once y'all take added a new user account, sign into the account and exam whether executable files are working. If then, you can brand information technology an admin account and move all your stuff over to it.

  1. Run the DISM and SFC tools

1 reason for this issue that is often overlooked is organization file abuse. Corrupt organization files can cause normal operations, like opening .exe files, to stop working. You may need to scan the files and repair the damaged ones before the effect can be resolved.

Fortunately, you don't need to download whatever third-party tool for this. What you need is right there on your system. The SFC and DISM tools can assist you check if anything is wrong with the organisation files and repair whatever errors.

Microsoft recommends running DISM and SFC scans together on Windows 10. While SFC checks individual organization files for possible corruption, DISM checks the unabridged system image for potential bad sectors.

On Windows 10, run DISM outset. Open up an elevated Command Prompt window as previously shown and run the command beneath:

Dism.exe /online /cleanup-epitome /restorehealth

DISM will cheque the system paradigm for whatsoever damaged parts and effort to rectify any identified bibelot. If it needs to replace anything, information technology volition download the replacement via Windows Update.

For this reason, make sure your PC is connected to the cyberspace when yous run the tool.

Once DISM has finished scanning, become ahead and run an SFC scan. Run the command beneath in the open Command Prompt window:

sfc /scannow

You may need to look a while, then grab a coffee if yous tin can. SFC volition check private files for corruption, damage or absenteeism and replace any problematic organization file with a fresh copy from the local Windows cache.

In one case the browse is washed, check the report message. If you're told that information technology institute some errors and fixed them, perhaps your problem has been solved.

Irrespective of the message you get, restart the computer and endeavour to launch an .exe file. With whatever luck, the program will load and there won't be further issues.

  1. Restore the location of the Plan Files folders

On Windows x, Programme Files and Program Files (x86) are the default installation folders for 64-bit and 32-bit third-political party apps respectively. They are located in the root of the arrangement bulldoze, along with the Windows folder and other primary directories.

Yous might have changed the location of this folder or modified it in another way. Some people do this in social club to save space, though there could be other reasons. Either manner, this tin can sometimes lead to problems like .exe files non opening.

If yous've previously tampered with the Program Files folders, you should be able to undo the damage by irresolute things back to their defaults via the Registry Editor:

  1. Open the Registry Editor and have a backup if yous haven't already washed and then.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion via the left pane or the path bar.
  3. Caput over to the correct pane and double-click ProgramFilesDir. Change the value in the Value Data field to "C: Program Files".
  4. Now double-click ProgramFilesDir (x86) (if present) and modify the value in the Value Data field to "C: Program Files (x86)".

Leave the Registry Editor and reboot the computer.

  1. Disable Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall automatically protects the organization from malicious incoming or approachable connections. Nosotros recommend e'er keeping it agile.

However, several users claimed that turning off the tool had helped them to fix the upshot of executable files not opening in Windows 10. Personally, we're skeptical about the merits, only it won't hurt to check information technology out if goose egg else has worked so far.

Note that irrespective of whether information technology works or not, you shouldn't permanently disable Windows Firewall unless you have no intention of using the internet at all. If the method works, you tin leave Firewall inactive for a little while as you search for a ameliorate solution.

Here is how to disable Firewall:

  1. Type "Firewall" into the Search panel and select Windows Firewall from the search results.
  2. On the left of the Control Panel window that opens, click the "Plough Windows Firewall on or off" link.
  3. In the Customize Settings window, select "Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended)" under "Private network settings".
  4. Side by side, select "Plough off Windows Firewall (not recommended)" under "Public network settings".
  5. Click the OK button to salvage your changes and exit the Command Panel.

Remember to go dorsum there and enable Windows Firewall for both public and private network connections once y'all've found a improve solution.

Conclusion

This guide has talked nigh how to gear up the ".exe file won't open correctly" issue in Windows ten. Existence unable to open executable files in Windows is something that should never happen, and using our guide should help you go the system working normally again in no time.