Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Avast Cleanup Premium

Mar 16, 2018 3:03PM PDT

Hello everyone, I have recently used this tool to optimize my PC and I believe it affected my registry on my computer. Every application now opens with Adobe Reader. Is there a fix for this?

Thank You

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Hopefully...
Mar 16, 2018 3:13PM PDT

the Avast rep will answer this. But any "cleaners" "optimisers" often cause more harm than good.
Dafydd.

- Collapse -
Answer
Re-set Your File Associations
Mar 16, 2018 3:47PM PDT

Unfortunately, you didn't tell us exactly which operating system you're using but the information below should get you there.

Windows 10
Click on the Start button-Settings-Apps-Default Apps tab-Select "Reset to Microsoft Defaults"
http://mywindowshub.com/how-to-restore-default-file-extension-type-associations-in-windows-10/

Windows 7
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2630-default-programs-set-programs-default-associations.html

And after resetting to the default, if there are any individual programs you need changed, you can do so at that time.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Post was last edited on March 16, 2018 3:59 PM PDT

- Collapse -
Avast Cleanup Premium
Mar 16, 2018 4:44PM PDT

Hi, I'm running windows 7 64-bit. The default programs option didn't work. Not all of my programs are displayed and when I hit save nothing happens. Is there anything else I could try?

- Collapse -
If The Problem is Running .exe Programs ..
Mar 17, 2018 8:45AM PDT
- Collapse -
Exe files
Mar 17, 2018 10:31AM PDT

Hi, I am trying to create a system restore point before I repair the registry, however, this tool is also affected by this problem. Should I still create the system restore point? Also, when I try to fix the registry, notepad won't even work so I cannot type in the information.

Post was last edited on March 17, 2018 10:57 AM PDT

- Collapse -
No Need To Create The Restore Point...
Mar 18, 2018 10:33AM PDT

Just create the registry backup per the instructions I gave.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Answer
For future ref
Mar 18, 2018 11:57AM PDT

You never run any cleaning prog or the machine in general without a full system backup.

It's just so much easier to restore a backup than to root around in windows folders or the registry.

Expect the machine to go wacko.....be prepared.

- Collapse -
Exe Files
Mar 18, 2018 1:11PM PDT

Hi, I can't back it up because the program for the notepad must be affected by this too

- Collapse -
Not backup now
Mar 18, 2018 1:27PM PDT

You needed to have this backup before the problem.

Once you get the machine back running get in the habit of making a full system backup.

Do it often and tuck it away in a drawer......it's your life line back.

- Collapse -
Exe Files
Mar 18, 2018 3:14PM PDT

Hi. Whenever I type in notepad in the command prompt it brings up internet explorer and asks me if I want to run it. I push run and nothing happens.

- Collapse -
Your off in the weeds
Mar 18, 2018 3:44PM PDT

I'm talking about a backup.

Which you had to have done before this problem.

Above Grif talks about how to fix file association problems.

If you don't like his advice then the options are reload windows or bring the machine to a repair counter.

- Collapse -
Exe Files
Mar 18, 2018 3:53PM PDT

So I can only fix the file association problem if I have a previous backup?

- Collapse -
Yes
Mar 18, 2018 3:58PM PDT

You need a copy of the machine when it did work.

Then you can restore that.

- Collapse -
You Might Be Able To Create the Reg File On A Different Comp
Mar 19, 2018 11:12AM PDT

Try using my previous link's instructions to create the .reg file on a different computer. Use a flash drive to transfer the file from the separate computer to your problem machine. If you can get that far, RIGHT click on the .reg file, choose "Merge" from the options.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Exe Files
Mar 19, 2018 12:53PM PDT

Hi. Thank you. I'll try that.

Also I'm just curious, I ran the avast software on another one of my computers and did not run into a problem, how come this computer is having an issue?

- Collapse -
(NT) The Items It Removed On The Other Comp Weren't Important
Mar 19, 2018 3:47PM PDT
- Collapse -
Exe Files
Mar 21, 2018 11:21AM PDT

I created the notepad on a different computer and put it on a flash drive. I then plugged it into the computer and hit merge. However, the problem is still there.

- Collapse -
Help
Mar 21, 2018 1:15PM PDT

Hi josefdoc, I've read through all the posts here and it's not certain whether running the cleanup was what caused this issue -- I've never heard of this happening before! Cleanup is designed to only remove files/etc. that are safe to remove and shouldn't be causing this by any means.

When you are saying that every single program opens in Reader, are you referring to all executables, all files, etc? Usually, if there is an issue with that, you would control it in the default file settings in Windows as Grif explained earlier (which would normally be an easy fix here)

Our support team can work with you further on this, I'd recommend you contact them directly: https://support.avast.com/en-us

- Collapse -
Exe Files
Mar 21, 2018 2:14PM PDT

Hello, I am going to contact Avast support directly.

Thanks