Help: These files can't be opened. Your Internet...

[alexdmark]

Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
UAC Disabled
Toshiba Satellite p300

Hi there,

I turned on my computer this morning and suddenly all hell has broken loose. Every time I try and open an exe file I get a Windows Security alert box telling me that:

"These files can't be opened. Your Internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened."

I've read through every thread I can find on the topic and none of the "answers" have worked for me.

I can start programs (and essentially open exe files) if I open them via an associated file type. For example I managed to start firefox by opening an .html document and I've got thunderbird open through the use of an .eml file.

I can't start cmd, regedit, msconfig etc... unless I boot the computer in safe mode with command prompt. Safe mode by itself still produces the same "Windows Security" dialogue boxes.

I have tried the following common "solutions" with no luck:

1) Right click the exe, click Properties
Click the Unblock button
Click OK

2) Adding exe to Control Pannel > Windows Defender > Tools > Options > Excluded file types

3) Start / Control Panel / Internet Options.
(Internet Options control panel appears)
Click "Security" tab.
Click "Local Intranet"
Drag slider to "Low"
Click "Sites" button.
Click "Advanced" button.
Enter the IP Address of the NAS / SMB/ CIFS / whatever server and click "Add."
Click "Close"

4) Remove the registry key - HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{EF87B4CB-F2CE-4785-8658-4CA6C63E38C6}\TopViews\{00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}

5) Creating a completely new admin profile. - This one was interesting, when I logged into the account there was no aero theme - it went right back to basics.

So any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[richc46]

Rather than suffer with this problem, I would try a system restore, that is what the feature is for.

In lieu of that, what happened last night? Did you install a new program, was there any other incident that could have caused this?

If there is no other answer, it could be a virus. Run your Anti Virus. Download and use Malwarebytes.

You can also try to disable your A/V, see if that helps.

 

[alexdmark]

Unfortunately I can't even run a system restore, presumably because it is essentially an exe.

There were several updates that were installed when I shut my computer down last night so I'm now guessing that's where the problem lies (hadn't even thought about that before). Is there a way to revert back from the updates to see if that really is the problem?

EDIT: I'm uninstalling my last night updates now and will report back with the results.

Thanks

 

[richc46]

If you are not sucessful, try this method. Hope that it works for you.

Using Last Known Good Configuration

 

[alexdmark]

Argh, still nothing. I guess I'll try running the last known good configuration. - Thanks

 

[richc46]

If that does not work, try this.

Run a virus scan.

Download malwarebytes and run a scan. If no success try to


Go to search

Type CMD do not hit enter

Right click on CMD run as adminitrator

In CMD type sfc /scannow.

If it finds errors, run several times.

 

[Barman58]

If you have the win7 install dvd you can gain access to your restore points by using the repair my computer option after boot - may be worth a try.

There is also access to a command prompt where you can run the sfc if you cannot do so in windows

I also think a malware scan may be in order as soon as you can as this sort of total block on exe files has been due to a virus in the past

 

[alexdmark]

Solved!

Did lots of scans with malwarebytes etc... and nothing fixed it.

Then I did a system restore back to just before a critical update a couple of days ago and everything's back to normal.

Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

[richc46]

Figures, first suggestion. Good luck

 

[nickiler]

These files can't be opened

We had the same problem while attempting to open files from the Internet as well. Setting these for both the Internet and Intranet settings should take care of it. The setting I found that was blocking me from opening files on my LAN is “Launching applications and unsafe files”.

Normal Systems and Personal Computers

This is an error from Internet Explorer security settings found under your “Tools” –> “Internet Options” –> “Security” tab –> “Local intranet” or “Internet”.

These files can't be opened. Your Internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened | iLERTECH

 

[ujk]

Problem : your internet security settings prevented one or more files from being opened
solution:
1. Create another user (admin example A)
2. Switch to the newly-created user
3. Run regedit (typing it in run)
4. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
5. Right-click -> export to C:\ drive as .reg
6. Switch back to your original account
7. go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Internet Settings (
delete internet setting)
8. Run the exported .reg
9. Restart.

 

[ujk]

your internet security settings prevented one or more files from being

1. Create another user (admin example A)
2. Switch to the newly-created user
3. Run regedit (typing it in run)
4. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
5. Right-click -> export to C:\ drive as .reg
6. Switch back to your original account
7. go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Internet Settings (
delete internet setting)
8. Run the exported .reg
9. Restart.

 

[Maitreya]

Same issue. Nothing is helping!

Thanks for all the tips folks but nothing seems to work.
@Alex - I can not run a system restore. Do I have to try it in Safe mode or something?
@UJK - I cannot create another user.

@Everyone - I tried Repair etc. It is asking for password and doesn't accept mine.

FYI: I have Ubuntu installed too.

Would really appreciate your help.

Thanks in advance.

-- Maitreya

 

[jeffro0625]

Wow, I was having the same problem, couldn't even update the time/date because of the popup window, ran multiple av scans with no success, tried this little trick, and it worked

thanks ujk

 

[thientu4]

Hi brothers! I have the same problem like you, and Daniel42's trick works to me, try with following link: Windows security, These Files cannot be opened. Also dxdiag failed to - Microsoft Answers

 

[sdqatar]

Thanks Rich

Malware helped me solve the issue. It has some virus residing in the registry.

 

[DanceMusicHib]

this worked for me

I had downloaded freeware and was prevented from opening the exe. I tried all the complex fixes described with no result. In the end I:

- Copied the exe file to a flash drive
- created a new user (admin).
- Switched to the new user
- Clicked on the exe and installed the new program
- I then copied the thumbnails of the program, switched users and pasted the thumbnails for the app on my desktop

 

[nandusak11]

You Can solve this problem by the solution given below

View attachment issue.txt

 

[tanuj20]

Same Problem,No Solution

I have tried every solution possible. None of them work for me because :-
1. I tried to Create a New User account. I click on "Manage User Account", nothing happens.
2. I tried resetting,setting every option on local intranet and internet. None of them work ultimately.
3. After downloading Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, the problem won't let me get to installation only. So can't scan for viruses.
4. In many places I have seen instructions to delete the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FolderTypes\{ef87b4cb-f2ce-4785-8658-4ca6c63e38c6} key in order to fix this issue but it is not showing up in my registry at all. Also, I am not able to use regedit,gepdit or mmc as even that brings up the same error.
5. System Restore too is not accessible due to the same error.
6. I can't access the group policy management editor either due to the same problem.

Please help me out. This is very frustrating.

 

[1454]

I'm having the same issue, only with multiple pop-ups, on my htpc. I can check by viewing more details what it is stopping from opening, which are mostly non essential items. However, when I restore it works fine for a few days, then I start losing usb functionality. For example, my HTPC remote will stop resuming the computer from standby, and things of that nature. it's getting very annoying. anybody have any suggestions that I can try, I'm about ready just to sell the thing and be done with it.

Hardware,
AMD A8
ASUS FM1 pro MOBO
ocz ssd and hitachi 3 tb HDD
8 gb ram
Ceton Infinitv 4
huappage 1250

7 professional x64, SP1

I think those are the relevant items, but I can provide more info if needed.