On running an exe file it opens something other program!!!

I think every Windows user must had faced exe file running problem. Whenever we click on any program or exe file it will open a fix program like Windows Media Player or VLC, etc. At that time we are not able to do anything, even not able to open Command Prompt. We don't know how to fix this?

This is simple problem of File associations in Windows for exe files. This is mostly done by malware or virus. If you had installed a good anti-virus then then there is less chance that you will face this problem.

There are following 3 solutions for this problem :

Solution 1 :

for Windows 7 & Vista only :

To resolve this problem, reset the registry subkey for the file association of the .exe file back to the default setting. To do this, follow these steps:

1. To open the Task Manager, press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC.
2. Click File , press CTRL and click New Task (Run…) at the same time. A command prompt opens.
3. At the command prompt, type notepad, and then press ENTER.
4. Paste the following text into Notepad:

   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
   
   [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe]
   
   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe]
   
   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithList]
   
   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithProgids]
   "exefile"=hex(0):
   

5. On the File menu, click Save as.
6. Select All Files in the Save as type list, and then type Exe.reg in the File name box.
7. Select Unicode in the Encoding list.
8. Return to the Command Prompt window, type REG IMPORT Exe.reg, and then press ENTER.
9. Click Yes, and then click OK in response to the registry prompts.
10. Log off from your account. Then, log back onto your account.

for Windows XP only :

1. Click Start, then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type explorer and then click OK.
3. Navigate to the Windows directory (e.g. a typical path may be C:\Windows) and locate regedit.exe.
4. Right-click on regedit.exe and select Run as. Uncheck "Protect my computer and data from unauthorized program activity" and click OK.
5. Using Regedit, locate and then click on the following registry key:
   HKeyCurrentUser\Software\Classes
6. On the left panel, right-click on the following registry subkey: '.exe'
7. Select Delete and then click OK.
8. On the left panel, right-click on the following registry subkey:
   'secfile'
9. Select Delete and then click OK.
10. Close Registry Editor.

Note You may have to restart the computer to restore the program icons to their original appearance.

Source : At this Microsoft support page , in Let me fix it myself section you can get more detail with image of one by one step.

Solution 2 : 

for Windows 7 only

Download reg file for exe associations and place it to desktop of computer on which problem occur, now double click and allow the merging of reg file. After restart of computer your problem will be solved.

Source : At this web page you will get reg file for other assoc problem too.

Solution 3 :
 
for Windows 7, Vista & XP
 

You can use "assoc" command in command prompt.

By default .exe assoc is exefile. Now you have to restore it again, but for it you must have administrator privilege.

If you login from a admin privilege account then open cmd as follows :

1. To open the Task Manager, press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC.
2. Click File , press CTRL and click New Task (Run…) at the same time. A command prompt opens.
3. Now give command : assoc .exe, it will show you current association for .exe files.
4. Now give the command  : assoc .exe=exefile. It will restore the .exe association, and now you problem will be solved.