Windows 10: How to access regedit if I modified "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe"

Hi,Probably not my smartest move but I modified the value of "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe", "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile" and "KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open" in the registry editor because I had trouble with a specific .exe file I couldn't open. Unfortunately, my maneuver didn't work and now I can't even access regedit.exe to get it back to normal... it's a vicious circle. Whenever I want to open any application .exe Windows asks what "How do you want to open this file", and I'm obviously stuck. Do you know how I could open .exe file or get the registry values back in place ?

:)

 

How to fix/restore regedit to default?

Hello. I need help how to restore regedit back to its default settings.

I didn't know registry editor is very sensitive that a small change can have huge impact on my computer's functionality.

So here's what happened, I was trying to fix a different issue (can't run a specific .exe file) when I bumped into one of the suggested fix (making some small change in regedit)

So I was trying to follow step from: Can't open .EXE files in Windows 7 or Windows Vista

[*]Click the Startbutton and type regedit in the Search box
[*]Right-click Regedit.exe in the returned list and click Run as administrator
[*]Browse to the following registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe

[*]With .exe selected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
[*]Change the Value data: to exefile
[*]Browse to and then click on the following registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile

[*]With exefileselected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
[*]Change the Value data: to "%1" %* (THIS IS WHERE I MADE A MISTAKE)
[*]Browse to and then click on the following registry key:

KEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open

[*]With openselected, right-click (Default) and click Modify…
[*]Change the Value data: to "%1" %*
[*]Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC

Now, I can't open regedit.exe or any .exe files.

I'm getting the error: Windows can't opent this file

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Cant open ANY .exe

Yes you are right, this is normally caused by a virus resetting registry entries

Follow the process below and you should be OK:

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

 

no access to exe files or regedit

Cant access exe files on windows 7 or regedit