How to Run EXE files

Level of difficulty: Easy

EXE files contain encoded instructions that cause a computer to function or perform in a certain way. An EXE file, or a file with the EXE file extension, is categorized under programs. Specifically, these are programs commonly intended to run in Windows or DOS platforms.

Materials Needed:
- A computer or laptop
- Windows Operating System installed in computer or laptop
- device drivers (when needed).
Step 1
Turn on the computer or laptop and wait for the Windows platform to load.
Step 2
The user should first run a virus scan on the program if the EXE file was downloaded from the Internet, sent through the user’s email as an attachment, downloaded from an unsafe website or source or obtained from a device like a flash disk, CD, or diskette. EXE files may contain malicious software such as viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, or other threats that may cause damage to the computer or compromise the security of the system and provide hackers with private data such as passwords, credit card information, and even access into files and folders. EXE files may even be the malware software itself.
Step 3
When your anti-malware application detected no malicious code present in the EXE file, point the mouse toward the file. Double-click on the EXE file.
Step 4
Right-click on the mouse or track pad to launch the options menu and select 'open ' if the file does not run upon double clicking.
Step 5
Registry settings may have been corrupted or certain malicious software may have changed the default configuration needed to run EXE files if upon trying to run EXE files, the screen displays error messages like: 'Access Denied', 'Runtime error', etc. Proceed to the next steps if this is the case.
Step 6
Click on 'Start', and click on 'Run' from the given options.
Step 7
Type 'command.com' then press the enter key on the screen that will appear.
Step 8
Type the following: 1) 'cd\' then press enter; 2) 'cd\windows' then press enter once again when the DOS window opens.
Step 9
Type copy 'regedit.exe regedit.com' and then press enter.
Step 10
Input 'start regedit.com' and then press enter.
Step 11
Search for and select the key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command.
Step 12
Double click the value on the right pane. This is the default value.
Step 13
Erase the current value data and replace it with: '%1' %* (quote-percent-one-quote-space-percent-asterisk).
Step 14
Close the regedit utility and try to run the EXE file again by repeating step number three.