One more .exe association problem + gadgets not working

1. How it all started:

I decided to disable Avast Antivirus a week a go and start using Microsoft Security Essentials instead. That's when the problems started (which might be just correlation, not causation).

2. Problem:

a) When I try to run an .exe file from Total Commander, I get "Error executing program".

b) When I try to run an .exe file from FreeCommander, I get "Your internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened."

I tried to change all internet settings to "Lowest security" (tried all - intranet, internet...) but problem remained.

c) Start\Search (which I usually use to run applications that don't have icons among the frequently used) doesn't find anything. For example, I type in "Photoshop" and all it finds are blank icons named "Programs" "Documents" "Control Panel" and "Pictures".

I tried fixing the file associations in registry (changing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\Default to "%1" %*) but nothing changed. The only way I can run .exe files now is to locate them in Start Menu, locate them using Windows Explorer or via command line.

d) Windows Gadgets stopped being displayed properly.

I have no other clues what might be preventing .exe files from working properly.

Kolji said:

1. How it all started:

I decided to disable Avast Antivirus a week a go and start using Microsoft Security Essentials instead. That's when the problems started (which might be just correlation, not causation).

2. Problem:

a) When I try to run an .exe file from Total Commander, I get "Error executing program".

b) When I try to run an .exe file from FreeCommander, I get "Your internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened."

I tried to change all internet settings to "Lowest security" (tried all - intranet, internet...) but problem remained.

c) Start\Search (which I usually use to run applications that don't have icons among the frequently used) doesn't find anything. For example, I type in "Photoshop" and all it finds are blank icons named "Programs" "Documents" "Control Panel" and "Pictures".

I tried fixing the file associations in registry (changing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\Default to "%1" %*) but nothing changed. The only way I can run .exe files now is to locate them in Start Menu, locate them using Windows Explorer or via command line.

d) Windows Gadgets stopped being displayed properly.

I have no other clues what might be preventing .exe files from working properly.

Does it to the same thing when booted in safe mode?

DO exe's launch outside for the "commander" apps?

do you have a backup from before the problem started?

Do you have a win 7 dvd?


ken

zigzag:

1. does the same thing when in Safe mode

2. don't understand the question a bit - apps launch only if I try to run them from start menu, command line or from windows explorer. It seems like an .exe file cannot open another .exe file (although Visual Studio is still able to run and debug a freshly built .exe file)

3. no backup (the only backup I kept was before updating MS Essentials definitions but AFTER installing it - I noticed this problem AFTER updating it)

4. I don't, I have Windows from MSDNAA but not currently downloaded and burned it on a DVD. I am affraid I will have to, though.

whs: I uninstalled Avast using this utility