Windows 7 - Windows 7 Not Running Applications

Sorry I did not know where else to post this but this problem started last night I restarted my computer and now it wont running applications. And by that I mean any exe file that doesn't require and installation. What I can do is run installers and and then run the program but I have programs that are just in a files folder and they aren't running. Anyone know how to fix this?

Since it started just last night, why not try a sytem restore from three days ago. You can always reverse the system restore if you do not like the results. I think System Restore is great for those short time duration changes. I have used mine and have been 100% successful.

Hello xpack, welcome to Seven Forums!


Here's a link to a tutorial for a system restore that Rich mentioned.

System Restore

If the system restore does not work, make sure you are running things as an administrator. I've had luck when .exe's won't open with opening them in the Built-In-Administrator account. To enable it, look here: Built-in Administrator Account - Enable or Disable

Hope this helps.

Are these programs you have downloaded from the internet?

If you set your IE settings to max safety it will not allow you to run any EXE downloaded from the net. You need to either exclude that option yb hand or put the saftey level back down (physically up in the control panel) one notch...

[Edit] There are also some advanced group policies that can be set to not allow programs not installed by an admin to run as well but that seems les likely to have happend by accident I'd think... [/edit]

A system restores worked! Thank guys!

Glad that the easy solution worked for you. Take care.

Hello xpack, glad to hear it.