Windows 10: Can not access any exe, including cmd nor registry

I could not access any exe filegave me the option to choose the app to open it with, so I wrote in cmd "assoc.exe=exefile" and restarted my laptop, resulting into not being able to open any app anymore, but the settings. I can not open cmd, nor task manager same thing, "choose an option to open the app with"I have looked on the internet about the problem, but could not find any solution.I was on windows 10 when this happened and tried switching to windows 11.Also troubleshooting does not work.Thank you in advance.

:)

 

Issues while accessing Task Manager and Registry Error: Disabled by Administrator

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you are facing issues while accessing Task Manager and Registry on your PC. For further clarity on the issue, please respond to the questions below:

1. Which build version of Windows 10 are you using currently?
   
2. Are you aware of any changes made to the PC prior to which you weren’t facing this issue?
   
3. Are you connected to Domain/organization network?
   
4. What is the exact error message that you receive?
   

Refer the article Which version of Windows operating system am I running?



Meanwhile, I would suggest you to try enabling built-in administrator account and see if you are able to access Task Manager and Registry. Kindly follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Now press Windows +
   S key together to open Search.
   
2. Now type CMD and select Run as administrator.
   
3. Accept the UAC prompts.
   
4. Type in the following command and hit Enter:
   
   net user administrator /active:yes
   

If you are able to access Task Manager and Registry in built-in administrator, then create a new user account using built-in administrator and check if you are still able to access Task Manager and Registry. Refer the article
Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10



Let us know how it goes.



Regards,

Prakhar Khare

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Entries in Registry

I think this could be related to a compatibility mode being applied to these programs.

E.g.
windows registry - Get "SIGN.MEDIA"-Id for compatibility-mode in Windows7 - Super User

You will find more if you do the search suggested above.

E.g. your question was asked here:
Lots of dead EXE files listed in registry Solved - Windows 7 Help Forums

Is the path similar to this?
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1412963132-789858852-2145561432-1000\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Compatibility Assistant\Persisted

 

Can't open .exe files anymore and can't open cmd or regedit

Hi,

I would highly suggest you to follow the steps mentioned in this article step by step:

CMD not working. Please reply if the issue still persists after this .