Program Association Error

by Lambo567 Feb 9, 2010 1:14AM PST

"This file does not have a Program Association with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Associations control Panel"

Every time i click on any .exe files the above error pops up. I have tried looking in Control Panel\Default Programs\Set Associations for the file extension of .exe and it does not appear. However, I can run programs through other files, such as to run Windows Live Messenger I have to right click on a music file and choose to run the music file with Windows Live Messenger. But that does not work for all files. I have also downloaded RegCure and ran scans and fixed all that it has found but still the error occurs.

Anyone have any ideas?

Discussion is locked

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That's a malware or registry cleaning error.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 9, 2010 1:23AM PST

To fix .exe associations start with this one -> http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?messageID=3242428&tag=forums06;posts#3242428

That's a link to a current discussion about fixing this sort of .exe issue.

But my comment is that you may want to figure out how it broke.
Bob

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Thanks but New Error

by Lambo567 Feb 9, 2010 3:48AM PST

I have attempted to use that link to fix the problem but I now get a new error saying that:
"Cannot import C:\Users\my name\Desktop\xp_exe_fix.reg: Not all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes."

Anyone have any ideas about that one?
I have tried running the registry file in safemode and got the same error.

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Which can happen

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 9, 2010 4:39AM PST

If some TeaTimer, malware or OTHER software is protecting the registry.

Did you try this in SAFE MODE?

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Yes

by Lambo567 Feb 9, 2010 4:50AM PST

Yes i tried this in safe mode and the same error appeared.
Do you know of anyways around it??

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To work around it

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 9, 2010 4:54AM PST

First try http://blog.jtbworld.com/2007/03/have-you-lost-your-exe-file-extension.html

If that fails we to use regedit and check the permissions. Sadly there is no step by step available. I will guide but fall short of a step by step.

So as a guide, open up the reg file and read what key is being set. Then use regedit to manuever to that key and check the security and rights to that key.

You could in regedit manually make the changes you read in the reg file. REG FILES ARE PLAIN TEXT we can read with notepad.
Bob

Program Association Error

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