PC sidelined by weird EXE file problem

Executable program files (EXEs) are the beating heart of Windows and most applications. So when Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 can no longer properly run files with the .exe extension, it’s serious trouble!

AskWoody subscriber Colm Brangan’s PC somehow ran into those deep weeds — and now he can’t find his way out. (Colm’s PC is running Win7, but Windows 10 and Win8.1 can suffer the same fate.)

• “My Windows 7 Home Premium system has stopped working properly. None of the EXE files will run. (I can still get to the Internet via links.) Launched apps stop with a ShellExecuteEx has failed Error Code 1155. I can’t reboot with a USB-based rescue drive because setup.exe will not run, and right-clicking an application doesn’t show a Run command.“As my laptop is old, I don’t have the option to choose UEFI boot; it needs the Legacy bios. I have the original re-installation disk and your excellent article on ‘Win 7’s no-reformat, non-destructive reinstall.’ [Langa.com copy here]. Your help, please! All other avenues, including Microsoft and Dell, have failed.”

That’s a frustrating problem, to be sure. But it might be easier to correct than you think. In fact, I cover four fixes that can help in What to do when Windows can’t run EXEs, AskWoody Plus 2019-09-02. Check it out!

NOTE: The article referenced above was released to AskWoody subscribers fully two months ago: Early access is just one of the benefits of being an AskWoody Plus subscriber. Please consider joining! It’s 1-2-3 easy:

1. If you don’t already have one, register for a free AskWoody basic account over on the AskWoody site.
   
2. Log in at AskWoody.com using your AskWoody basic account credentials.
   
3. Upgrade to an AskWoody Plus Membership. There’s no set cost; you decide how much to pay. Really!

Click on over and take a look!

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