All programs try to open with internet explorer

IE9 but IE8 also had the same problem with me.

AJBUB said:

I moved both files onto my desktop. I hit merge on reg file and they verified their activation keys. THey did not do anything.

ALso by turning internet explore off everything works normally so i would guess its an ie problem.

It's not an IE problem. It's a file association problem. The items in Brink's post will fix it. You need to run all the ones for system files, exe, com, dll, etc.

I don't know what you mean about "verified their activation keys"....there is no such message associated with .reg files. I think you are doing something incorrectly.

Ok i downloaded everything on that page now what do i do.

Thanks brink your method worked after much trail. I appreciate your efforts.

Hey Brink,

Just had the same issue as AJBUB on my wife's PC (I use a Mac). Your fix worked perfectly. I assume malware was responsible for changing .exe extensions to prevent applications from running (no application would run, windows recommended internet explorer for all programs - even task manager); but after running anti-virus software, nothing was detected. Where else should I be looking?

Brink,

Great advice. Ran both: ESET found nothing, but the Standalone System Sweeper found the malicious program "VirTool:JS/Obfuscator" . Took 2 hours and 47 min to scan everything. Very nice tool to have. Thanks for the scoop!

Rod