Windows EXEs broken

[LanHikariDS]

I just did something so unbelievably stupid. I had a program that, when I ran, Windows said it didn't recognize the file extension (Odd, considering it was an EXE). I noticed the filename was 'Java'-something, so I decided to associate it with Java. Well, my computer decided that ALL .exe files will run through Java, so I can't really do anything now. I uninstalled Java, and now Windows just asks what to associate .exe files with. What do I do?!

EDIT: Nevermind, got it working again, had to download a registry file to reset my stupid mistake

 

[cb600fshornet]

Sounds strange, sometimes the registry gets corrupted itself but usually it's a virus, I would suggest running a scan using Malwarebytes Anti Malware AFTER we've restored the file associations to the PC.

I've got the following from the Microsoft support site so don't worry, it's totally legitimate. This is assuming you are using Vista/7 (though I suspect it should work in Windows 8 too). Regedit may or may not open (it's an .exe), but I suspect Microsoft have included a .com version just in case. If you can't open regedit then we can try and solve that first.

To resolve this issue, you can reset the registry settings to their default settings. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Click the Startbutton and type regedit in the Search box
2. Right-click Regedit.exe in the returned list and click Run as administrator
3. Browse to the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
4. With .exe selected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
5. Change the Value data: to exefile
6. Browse to and then click on the following registry key:
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
7. With exefileselected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
8. Change the Value data: to "%1" %*
9. Browse to and then click on the following registry key:
   
   KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open
10. With openselected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
11. Change the Value data: to "%1" %*
12. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC

 

[1etherer]

I just did something so unbelievably stupid. I had a program that, when I ran, Windows said it didn't recognize the file extension (Odd, considering it was an EXE). I noticed the filename was 'Java'-something, so I decided to associate it with Java. Well, my computer decided that ALL .exe files will run through Java, so I can't really do anything now. I uninstalled Java, and now Windows just asks what to associate .exe files with. What do I do?!

EDIT: Nevermind, got it working again, had to download a registry file to reset my stupid mistake

Good to hear, Do you mind posting what you done to resolve it. cheers

 

[carnageX]

Good to hear, Do you mind posting what you done to resolve it. cheers

Probably something like this: FixExec Download

 

[LanHikariDS]

I went here and clicked the link for the file extension I stupidly reset Default File Type Associations - Restore - Windows 7 Help Forums
However, the file that started this (The EXE that Windows 7 doesn't recognize) still asks me what to associate with it. The program in question is Yawcam.

 

[cb600fshornet]

Can you attach a screenshot of the error/prompt please?

 

[LanHikariDS]

Can you attach a screenshot of the error/prompt please?

Here you are

 

[1etherer]

Maybe have a look here windows 7 - javaw.exe isn't running as an executable - Super User

 

[carnageX]

Uninstall any old Java versions and try to reinstall the latest version of Java.

 

[LanHikariDS]

Uninstall any old Java versions and try to reinstall the latest version of Java.

Did that... twice...

Maybe have a look here windows 7 - javaw.exe isn't running as an executable - Super User

Okay, I played around with the Java files and got it working, thanks!