Windows 7: Can't install software, or open .exe files

Thank you all in advance for your time and intellect in helping me with this problem. This is my first time posting on a forum, but I have for years used an appreciated this precious resource. I have worked with computers for many years and am not a pro with them but very handy.

My wife on her laptop acquired a trojan virus (system security 2012). I was able to get rid of it with my computer's virus scanner through sharing center. After that I tried to open every other program but it comes up with "open with" box and I can't open it. The only way I can open programs is if I "run as administrator". Then I Tried to install another program on the computer but I am unable to install ANY program. I even had to run as admin just to open snip tool.





*I see that I have posted before. It's just been so long that I forgot about it.

Hello Vipomorge,

Downloading and merging the exe option in the tutorial below may be able to fix this for you. It will restore the default associations for exe files.

Default File Type Associations - Restore

In addition, I would recommend to do a full scan of your system with Malwarebytes free just to help make sure that your system is clean.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thank you Brink,

I was able to successfully merge the files and they work now; consequently I am also able to install software. I used the malware program to find and remove the last of the virus, and have installed a anti-virus on the computer. Thank you so much. ;p

You're most welcome.