Windows Vista / Windows 7 *.exe corrupted by a virus

Symptoms

- certain programs won't run
- newly downloaded software unable to install
- third party virus scanners won't run or freezes

Fix

- Download

http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/123734d1312706455-default-file-type-associations-restore-default_exe.reg

^^ this registry key seems to be compatible with both vista and windows 7 systems

- merge it by double clicking the file once downloaded
- retest
== if successful, enjoy
== if failed, an infection is modifying your registry to not recognize exe files.

This can be also used if exe's are infected to open more than just the wanted program and open something else. like trojans. if that's the case, get rin of the infection first.