Folder association?

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Guest

I'm desperate, please help me! When I try to use CLEANMGR, I get the message "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel". I don't know how to do this. Many of my programs don't respond at all, IE., games, Norton antivirus, defragment. Or, sometimes when I click on a program, I get the Microsoft search program coming up! I tried to reinstall Windows XP but NOTHING happens. What is wrong
Bil
 
The first thing you want to check is to see if you have a virus. You can
try removing and reinstalling Norton Antivirus. If that fails, you can run
a scan online at the following site:
http://housecall.antivirus.com/explorer.html

Also, download, install and if possible run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com
With this as with any similar application you need to use caution and be
well backed up as there's always the possibility you might delete a file
that is necessary. If you have questions about a file to which Ad Aware
points, you can contact Lavasoft for information. Nonetheless, this
application will help identify possible adware on your system that might be
the source of this issue.
 
Michael: Thanks for your suggestions. However, I could not run Adware. It seems (I just noticed), that files/programs ending with 'exe' do not function. Also, they do not have a unique icon, just the generic Microsoft logo in a box. Any suggestions
Thanks again
Bill
 
Hi Michael: Yes, I downloaded the scan program, but when I tried to run it, I got the message, "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel". (The message had a red circle with an X in it). Can you tell me how to do this?
Thanks again for all your help
It is very much appreciated
Bill
 
Bill, when at the site, instead of clicking download, click Scan Now, then
choose your country from the list, click go, this should take you to a page
that should show your hard drive with a button next to it that says "Scan."
If this is your first time there, it does take a little time for the scanner
to load but once it does, you can select My Computer or whatever and then
click the Scan button. There should be no need to invoke an exe on your
system.
 
Bill,

Adding to Michael's advice:

If the file association for .exe has changed automatically, this behaviour is generally caused by viruses. One of which is Sircamm virus, which modifies the .exe file association in registry. Reset the .exe file assocation using any of these steps:

Solution 1:
Click [Start] [Run] [Command]
Type the following and then press Enter after typing each one:

cd\windows
copy regedit.exe regedit.com
start regedit.com

Navigate to and select the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

Double-click the (Default) value in the right pane.
Delete the current value data, and then type: "%1" %*
(ie., type the following characters: quote-percent-one-quote-space-percent-asterisk.)

Exit the Registry Editor and restart Windows.

Solution 2:

Download .exe File association fix from here:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

NOTE: Most importantly, update the definition files for your A/V
software and scan the system for viruses.

Related MSKBs:

You Are Unable to Start a Program with an .exe File Extension:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310585

You Cannot Start Programs (.exe Files) When Your Computer Is Infected with the SirCam Virus:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=311446

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
Internet Explorer Newsgroup FAQs:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=129972
-------------------------------------------


Hi Michael: Yes, I downloaded the scan program, but when I tried to run it, I got the message, "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel". (The message had a red circle with an X in it). Can you tell me how to do this?
Thanks again for all your help!
It is very much appreciated!
Bill
 
Dear Michael and Ramash: It's fixed!! There was no virus, at least according to the virus scan, but after I used the "fix" from the file association web site, it's working great! Thank you so much for all the time and effort you both put into helping me with this problem. It is very much appreciated!
Thanks again!
Bill
 
You're most welcome, Bill and glad to hear the problem is solved.

BTW, it might be an after-effect of a virus attack. Anti-virus software usually removes the virus and does *not* repair the exefile registry entry. Otherwise, there is no possibility for the .exe association to change itself.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
Internet Explorer Newsgroup FAQs:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

Using ToolbarCop to remove the unwanted Toolband, Toolbar Icons and BHO:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
-------------------------------------------


Dear Michael and Ramash: It's fixed!! There was no virus, at least according to the virus scan, but after I used the "fix" from the file association web site, it's working great! Thank you so much for all the time and effort you both put into helping me with this problem. It is very much appreciated!
Thanks again!
Bill
 
You're welcome, Bill. As Ramesh points out, you might have been suffering
the after effects of the virus attack. Fortunately, Ramesh jumped in with
exe association fix to ultimately resolve the issue.

Good luck.
 
Thanks, Michael :o)

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
Internet Explorer Newsgroup FAQs:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

Using ToolbarCop to remove the unwanted Toolband, Toolbar Icons and BHO:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
-------------------------------------------


You're welcome, Bill. As Ramesh points out, you might have been suffering
the after effects of the virus attack. Fortunately, Ramesh jumped in with
exe association fix to ultimately resolve the issue.

Good luck.
 
You're welcome.:-)

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

Thanks, Michael :o)

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
Internet Explorer Newsgroup FAQs:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

Using ToolbarCop to remove the unwanted Toolband, Toolbar Icons and BHO:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
-------------------------------------------


message You're welcome, Bill. As Ramesh points out, you might have been suffering
the after effects of the virus attack. Fortunately, Ramesh jumped in with
exe association fix to ultimately resolve the issue.

Good luck.
 
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