Reset and Fix Broken Windows Vista File Ext and Type Associations (Include EXE, COM, SYS, ZIP, LNK, Folder, Drive)
Windows Vista file type and file extension associations may be corrupted, broken and go haywire, causing files with some extensions cannot be opened properly. For example, some third party programs may wrongly set or assign file associations for extensions that not supposed to have a default program such as .exe, .com, .sys, .lnk, folder, directory, drive etc. (actually these special system files has unique associations which is not supposed to be another programs, so that Windows know to handle them accordingly).
Some programs that known to cause such problem including Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE with “Lock executable file associations” option enabled in Ad-Watch via automatic setting, which blocks registry changes related to file associations when new software application is installed or updated. Another possibly problematic app is dTools, which may delete or remove associated default program and icon for .exe, .sys, .scr, .rll, .pko, .pif, .ocx, .wmdb, .wsp, .xmp, .tpl and other extension types. Sometimes, user may accidentally unassociate or delete the file association too, or assign an extension such as shortcut with .lnk to a wrong program when forget to uncheck “Always use this program to open this type of file” option.
When a file type association for an extension is deleted or not found, the icon for the file type becomes blank in the shape of empty white paper. And when user double clicks or run the affected file of the kind of extension type, syste will prompt user with a “Open With” dialog to find a program to open the file with.
The problem is especially worse when the file association for executable with .exe extensions is broken, causing programs such as Adobe Reader, Internet Explorer, Notepad, System Restore, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and even Registry Editor (which is necessary to fix the invalid file association problem) cannot be started, and unable to launch or execute.
Windows Vista basic file extension Set Association management interface cannot reset and fix the corrupted or invalid file association back to factory default, or at least back to a workable state. As a workaround, user can try to manually remove the user-choice file association to restore back to Windows default file type and extension association.
If the manual deletion of user customized file association does not work, or want to direct yet simple fix for the file type and file extension association problem, Winhelponline.com has provided a few registry files that fix and reset several common file associations in Windows Vista back to its original default as if right after fresh installation.
The file association fixes for the following file extensions are available, which can be downloaded in ZIP format which contains a .reg file. Execute the registration entries file to merge the registry keys and values to replace and reset the existing system registry.
- audiocd
- avi
- bat
- bmp
- chm
- cmd
- com
- dvr-ms
- exe
- gif
- htm
- html
- ico
- inf
- jpe
- jpeg
- jpg
- js
- lnk
- mp3
- mpe
- mpeg
- mpg
- msc
- reg
- scr
- tif
- tiff
- txt
- vbs
- wma
- wmv
- xml
- xps
- zip
- Folder
- Directory
- Drive
For user who wants all the file association fixes, here’s a compressed zip file vista_extfix.zip that contains all of the individual file extension association fixes above.
Note that to apply the registration entries file (the .reg file downloaded), user must right click on the .reg file and select “Run as Administrator” to apply the file association fix for the respective file type and extension.
Related posts:
- How to Unassociate File Types and Remove File Extension Associations in Windows Vista
- How to Edit or Change File Type or Extension Associations (Default Programs) in Windows Vista
- Fix Application Programs Cannot or Unable to Set Associations for Supported File Extensions Problem in Vista
- Windows Vista File Associations Advanced Editing Management Tools
- Reset Always Ask Before Opening This Type Of File Check Box in Vista IE
complete treatment for my sick computer
exe problem has been eliminated completely
thanks guys for the wonderful site
khattar
thanks a lot..
Thank you so much!
THANK YOU! I thought for sure my laptop was done for! this reg fixed it. YOU ROCK
I know this was posted a long time ago but I thought I would still try, I have this same exact issue but with Windows XP. Is there something similar I can use to fix my issue?
You can get XP file association fixes here,
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
Download .zip to desktop, unzip, doubleclick and follow the prompts for yes, OK or
merge. EXE fix is 9th from top of list.
i clicked on the link and it says it was not found. can someone please help me?
Thank you guys! Lost .exe association after using superantispyware and found no help from them. Now runs perfectly. YOU ROCK
the best! awesome fix, back in the game!
your exe fix saved the day. you are the absolute best. thanks thanks thanks.
Had to say thanks. After removing a virus on a Windows Vista laptop, Vista would no longer run .exe files. After checking options on several websites, nothing worked. Downloaded your solution, installed the registry fix and it was working perfectly. Thanks again.
Dumb question:
I saved the .scr file onto my usb that was giving me problems. I opened the file and was able to see my original folders without the shortcuts, but now how do I restore these on my usb?
You all people are great. I was really upset with all my files turning into .lnk and not work. Thanks Yaar
I had done the same thing
Downloaded
vista_extfix.zip
The file was extracted and then with right click on each file gave the option merge and was done with each of the file. After restart of the computer I got back all my icon and software thanks a lot for the solution.
Champion, thanks a million.
Thanks bunches. Worked perfectly for Vista > .ZIP
–Paul
Thanks you very much for this fix, this restored everything back to normal and now i can access everythin again thanks to you
for the .reg fix. follow this:
-Start
-Run, type in: regedit.
-From the menu: File – Import. point to the regfix_vista.reg.
-OK
Done!
regedit.exe not found, had to just open the exe_fix_vista and it fixed my problems. Adaware caused my problems.
Thanks for this. I am always amazed at the generosity of so many people. It makes it much easier to deal with the cruds who waste our time with their malicious pranks.
Thank you so much for this. It worked great!
Thank you so much, I'm on Win7 x64 and I set (stupid me!!) wrong llnk association… you reg saved my life and saved me a format! XD
Thank you sooooo much!
Thanks so much! Exe fix worked for me.
In case this fix didn't work for you, I found another solution when I ran the free avast! Virus Cleaner tool it immediately found:
Invalid file type association: HKCU:SoftwareClassessecfileshellopencommand… item fixed.
And then executables started working again.
lol. download a .zip to fix issues opening .zips
Big thing to say. Please change the file hosting site used.
Too many pop-ups, etc.
Site is very big headache!
I honestly felt like smashing the computer!
Otherwise, thank you.
I can finally fix the mess that UltimateZip created!
nice thank u so much:D
Lord have mercy, you saved my life!
thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't say thank you enough. You've saved me!!!! it works!
[...] simply download and apply the .lnk file association fix as provided as part of the extensive fix to reset and patch broken file type and extension associations in Windows [...]
[...] Une astuce ici:: Associations de fichiers sous Windows Vista – La solution ou aussi ici: Reset and Fix Broken Windows Vista File Ext and Type Associations (Include EXE, COM, SYS, ZIP, LNK, … G
erm yeh, problem is I CANT RUN A WINRAR INSTALL PLZ HELP!!!!
You are a legend, I a computer beginner and I accidentaly changed all my exe files default program as utorrent. Imagine my panic!
The link worked fab i uploaded the zip files and it fixed all the problems.
Cheers again
Need .bin
This seems to be what i need. but i need the registry fix for (.bin).
i've tried manually deleting and editing the registry entry for .bin, but every time i try to access the file, it just opens it with the same incorrect program. i can't seem to un-associate it.
i hope you can help.
Thank you.
ps-thanks for sharing knowledge. without sites like this, i'd have even more troubles.
OMG thak you so much it worked perfectly!
[...] that contains all of the individual file extension association fixes above. More from here in [...]