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Question

Cannot open programs unless run as administrator.

Applies To:
Hello.
On my laptop running Windows Vista SP1, I recently got a virus (Vista Internet Security 2010, I believe it was called) that was undetectable to AVG Free Edition. I was forced to remove the program manually, deleting the .exe file for it along with its registry keys. After I did so, my computer became unable to open a program unless it was right-clicked and run as administrator. Certain functions on my computer are now inaccessible due to this problem. I have searched similar problems and have not found any where only .exe files were affected and none of the solutions I found worked.
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Edit: I apologize, I accidentally posted this in a different forum than intended.
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12 People had
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.Kyle

.Kyle

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8

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Answer

I assume you know how to enter registry:
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes key. Check if there is any .exe key (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe). If so, remove it.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe. Click on the .exe and note the right side of the window where the values are. There should be no values present and the default value should be set to "(value not set)". Same thing applies to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithList (no values, default value not set).
In the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithProgids key there should be a default value that is not set (as above) and an exefile value of REG_NONE type.
If current settings in the registry don't match up or you don't have any experience in editing registry, download this file and run it. It should replace the regsitry keys as they are on my system (naturally, use at your own risk).
You may also want to create a new account in Windows, log on to that account and see if the .exe files work from that account.
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Emkay1001

Emkay1001

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Hi Kyle,

Try this step to make the program run as administrator, by default, in Windows Vista.

  1. Right click the program and select Properties
  2. Under the compatibility tab, select Run this program as an administrator
  3. Click Apply and OK

How to use User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922708

Hope this helps.

Bindu S -- Microsoft Support

[If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

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Imran M

Support Engineer
Imran M
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What happens when you run an exe file as a "standard user"?
You may want to try the "fix for file associations" for exe from this page and/or this one.
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Emkay1001

Emkay1001

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Bindu,
Thank you for your response, but I am afraid it didn't work. I still have to right-click and hit run as administrator, even on programs which I altered as suggested.
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.Kyle

.Kyle

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Emkay,
When I attempt to open the file as a standard user, it gives me the file association not set issue, and doesn't open the program. But, if I attempt to run as an administrator, I can start the program.
I tried both fixes. Neither worked.
Thank you for answering,
     Kyle
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.Kyle

.Kyle

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8

Votes

Answer

I assume you know how to enter registry:
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes key. Check if there is any .exe key (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.exe). If so, remove it.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe. Click on the .exe and note the right side of the window where the values are. There should be no values present and the default value should be set to "(value not set)". Same thing applies to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithList (no values, default value not set).
In the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithProgids key there should be a default value that is not set (as above) and an exefile value of REG_NONE type.
If current settings in the registry don't match up or you don't have any experience in editing registry, download this file and run it. It should replace the regsitry keys as they are on my system (naturally, use at your own risk).
You may also want to create a new account in Windows, log on to that account and see if the .exe files work from that account.
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Emkay1001

Emkay1001

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Hi Kyle,

Backup your registry before you make changes in your registry.

Important. Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Bindu S -- Microsoft Support

[If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

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Imran M

Support Engineer
Imran M
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Emkay,
Thank you very much! I checked the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes key, and there was a .exe key. After removal, I can now launch programs as a standard user by left clicking.
Thanks again!
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.Kyle

.Kyle

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Hi Kyle,

Glad to know that the Emkay’s suggestion helped you resolve the issue. 

Bindu S -- Microsoft Support

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Imran M

Support Engineer
Imran M
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Where are registry backups stored? If nothing goes wrong after tweaking registry, can the backup be safely deleted?

MBAM and ccleaner also do backups before registry cleanings. Where are these backups stored? In my HD? Or in third party system?

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coolnewyorker

coolnewyorker

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The registry backups are most likely stored on your hard disk. The exact location depends on application settings.
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Emkay1001

Emkay1001
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