HELP! - Assigned EXE to notepad.

[cdd]

OK. Using my Windows Vista computer, I have managed (god knows how) to assign the EXE filetype to notepad. COnsequently I can't run programs - they all just start in Notepad. Not even system restore, to undo the mess I've made. Starting programs with command prompt "start [program]" doesn't work either. Nor is there a useful "Start Program" or "Run" feature on the context menu for programs.

ANy ideas?

Chris

[Lorns]

Hahahahaha!!!! I'm not the only one that does dumb stuff.

Sorry not much help but it makes me feel loads better.

[cdd]

I've fixed it now, with the good old standby of Re-Install Windows.

It was quite bizzare - every single program, even windows utilities or control panel modules, opened in Notepad. I managed to get System Restore working with the Repair Your Computer F8-at-Startup option but that didn't work. And of course turning on the computer opened about 18 Notepad windows (and no programs!)

Anyway - all's well that ends well. (Well, not that well, I have to re-install all my f***ing software!)

[Stuart*]

I've fixed it now, with the good old standby of Re-Install Windows.
Anyway - all's well that ends well. (Well, not that well, I have to re-install all my f***ing software!)

You have a fun evening ahead of you then!

[Bail]

I've fixed it now, with the good old standby of Re-Install Windows.

It was quite bizzare - every single program, even windows utilities or control panel modules, opened in Notepad. I managed to get System Restore working with the Repair Your Computer F8-at-Startup option but that didn't work. And of course turning on the computer opened about 18 Notepad windows (and no programs!)

Anyway - all's well that ends well. (Well, not that well, I have to re-install all my f***ing software!)

Adding to my reasons I won't be getting Vista until MS force me to.

[Slagathor.]

I've fixed it now, with the good old standby of Re-Install Windows.

It was quite bizzare - every single program, even windows utilities or control panel modules, opened in Notepad. I managed to get System Restore working with the Repair Your Computer F8-at-Startup option but that didn't work. And of course turning on the computer opened about 18 Notepad windows (and no programs!)

Anyway - all's well that ends well. (Well, not that well, I have to re-install all my f***ing software!)

Adding to my reasons I won't be getting Vista until MS force me to.

That wasn't Vista's fault, that was cdd's fault!

I'm tired of the Vista bashing. It's actually a very good piece of kit when used properly, which is way more than can be said for Mac OS X.

[Andrew Wood]

If you ever do it again: http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/105/1/

and for XP: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

(not that you'd be able to launch your browser, though...!)

[Jenny]

OK. Using my Windows Vista computer, I have managed (god knows how) to assign the EXE filetype to notepad. COnsequently I can't run programs - they all just start in Notepad. Not even system restore, to undo the mess I've made. Starting programs with command prompt "start [program]" doesn't work either. Nor is there a useful "Start Program" or "Run" feature on the context menu for programs.

That is priceless. I've heard of people doing that, but I never thought I'd ever see someone actually admit to doing it themselves!

[cdd]

If you ever do it again: http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/105/1/

and for XP: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

(not that you'd be able to launch your browser, though...!)

Ah, and the problem's deeper than that - running any type of file (for example a .reg file would open with the Registry Editor) would result in a source-version of that program opening in notepad. Even the commands like "Play" or "AutoRun" still did this. And System Restore from the "Repair PC" pae didnt't work.

If you're curious as to how the fuck I managed it, I downloaded MS Office from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Downloads page which used some infernal Download Manager, but because of IE's stupid Protected Mode it saved to some weird C:\users\me\appdata\virtualized\temp\c\users\desktop\file.exe location. It was hard enough to get to this location, but when I finally did opening the file didn't open the file, instead it came up with a bloody "Open With..." dialog (it didn't seem to be a 'real' folder). So in despartion I just clicked something (Notepad) and before I knew it, every icon on my start menu and desktop had turned into a notepad icon. Not somewhere I want to go again!

I think the reason it was impossible to revert is because it's supposed to be impossible to resassign EXE files, and so there's no UI method exposed for doing so.

HOWEVER I have a less pressing question:
I noticed my 'recent serach history' thinymajiggy for Metropol that I have serached for "beatles". Presumably this refers to Beatles, The. However I have searched for no such thing. So I would like to know why potentially embarassing search queries are being planted in my search history! (in other words, the search history here seems to be messed up and mixing up users or something).

Oh, and anyone who suggests I have an alternate beatles-fixated persona will be the victim of a threat of some sort that I won't have the guts to carry out.

[Finn]

Oh, and anyone who suggests I have an alternate beatles-fixated persona will be the victim of a threat of some sort that I won't have the guts to carry out.

I'm sure your alternate Beatles-fixated persona will be up to carrying it out though

[cdd]

Oh, and anyone who suggests I have an alternate beatles-fixated persona will be the victim of a threat of some sort that I won't have the guts to carry out.

I'm sure your alternate Beatles-fixated persona will be up to carrying it out though

I think if he managed to kill John Lennon, he wouldn't have too much of a problem picking you off...