Cannot launch EXE's in XP Pro

Trotter

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I wasn't sure whether to put this here or in the Windows forum but here goes.

I am cleaning up a malware infestation on a laptop running XP Pro. I booted into safe mode, ran Rkill, then Combofix, then MBAM. I then booted into regular windows... and could not launch a single EXE except for IE. It doesn't matter if it a desktop shortcut, a quick launch icon, or from the start menu, when you try to launch one Windows pops up and asks what program do you want to use to open the file.

I remember this vaguely from somewhere in the past but for the life of me cannot remember what the crap I need to do to fix it.

Suggestions?

EDIT: I forgot to add... if I choose a program to open a program, that choice will open up. I just cannot open a EXE directly.
 
I just gave it a shot. The '.exe' key was there but not the '.secfile' one.

It does seem to have worked, though.
 
Well that is good to hear that it seems to have worked. Guess those fix it projects are paying off.
 
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