.exe files keep opening in MS Word - please help

[confuse]

Hi, I'm currently running Windows 7 Home Premium and whenever I try to click on a setup exe file, it would open in ms word. I've searched this forum and tried the MS Fix it patch but it didn't work. I can't even upgrade registry optimizer since it opens in word. I would greatly appreciate it if someone can please assist.

Thanks!

 

[FuturDreamz]

Someone else had the same problem, but I don't know if it was ever resolved.


How long have you had this problem? Is it only setup.exe or all executables?

 

[Lovus]

I think it's a virus . One of the symptoms is autoclose of cmd . Try opening cmd , if it doesn't close automatically, maybe it's not a virus . Use system restore before the point it happened .

 

[confuse]

Yes, and the resolution linked me to download software to fix either the malware or virus that may be causing it. However, it seems like I have to download the full version so I'll have to pay for it so I wanted to see if it will really fix my issue before paying for it. Also, if it requires me
To run a .exe file, it will not help since J can't seem to run any setup exe files. All the exe files I try to run ate setup files. This has probably gone on for a couple weeks and I kept ignoring it until of course now when I really need to run a setup exe file.

Appreciate any assistance any one can provide.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lovus]

Try opening cmd . If it closes in a snap, It's a virus . If it doesn't, try downloading Windows Defender offline. Download it to your Removable storage and boot from it to scan your system before your system boots . Read descriptions in the link . Hope this helps

 

[Layback Bear]

What registry optimizer did you use?

 

[FuturDreamz]

What registry optimizer did you use?

I didn't even notice that. Registry optimizers are bad bad bad.

The only thing you can do now is use your restore points.

 

[Lovus]

Maybe uninstalling office can help you .

 

[FuturDreamz]

Maybe uninstalling office can help you .

Highly unlikely.

Your best bet is a system restore. Registry optimizers claim to clean the registry, but they are butchers performing brain surgery. I believe whatever happened is related to whatever your registry cleaner did, and the only thing you can do is to attempt to undo it.

 

[confuse]

I didn't have a restore point so I had to create one today and ran the system restore. The setup exe still opens in MS Word. Any other ideas?

The registry optimizer I was trying to download is the winzip registry optimizer. I have since uninstalled it based on your comments.

Thanks.

 

[whs]

You have to restore the default file association for .exe - see here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

 

[Layback Bear]

If you have run any kind of registry optimizer their is a good chance that a clean install is the only answer.
Let see if your computer is clean of infections. Using a know clean computer use this from a memory stick, (travel drive, thumb drive).
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-windows-defender-offline.html
Let us know what is found. That will guide us on suggestions.
----------------
edit; I see me and whs have posted at the same time. Please follow whs instructions.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I didn't have a restore point so I had to create one today and ran the system restore. The setup exe still opens in MS Word. Any other ideas?

The registry optimizer I was trying to download is the winzip registry optimizer. I have since uninstalled it based on your comments.

Thanks.

Restore points only restore the system to how it was when the restore point was created. It would be pointless to restore to a point after the event happened.

It is a bit disappointing though. I was hoping that some application or update had initiated a restore point a while ago.

 

[confuse]

I ran the windows defender offline and performed a full scan. It detected 1 adware item and I removed it. Shut down and started the pc again. Tried to run the setup exe and it opened in ms word again.

Any other ideas?

Many thanks!

 

[Layback Bear]

Did you try what whs recommended in post #11?
Some scans I also recommend doing.
Free Online Virus Scanner | ESET

TDSSKiller Download