You Are Unable to Start a Program with a .exe File Extension

ID: Q250931

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start a program that has a .exe file extension, the program may not start. Also, you may receive the following error message:

Windows cannot find FILES32.VXD. This program is needed for opening files of type "Application".

CAUSE

This issue may be caused by the Pretty Park virus. The Pretty Park virus creates the Files32.vxd file, and then copies the Files32.vxd file to the Windows\System folder of your computer. Also, the Pretty Park virus modifies a registry key that causes the Files32.vxd file to run when you attempt to run any program that has a .exe file extension.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To resolve this issue, perform the following steps:

NOTE: When you run the Regedit.exe file, you may experience the symptoms described earlier in this article. To work around this issue, rename the Regedit.exe file to Regedit.com, and then follow the instructions listed later in this article. After you are finished, rename the Regedit.com file back to Regedit.exe.

Use Registry Editor to view and then modify the Command registry value under the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Exefile\Shell\Open
Double-click the following registry string value:
```
<NO NAME>: REG_SZ: "files32.vxd" "%1"%* 
```
In the String box, remove Files32.vxd from the string. The correct string for this value is:
```
"%1"%* 
```

Click OK, and then quit Registry Editor.

Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.

In the Named box, type files32.vxd, and then click Find Now

In the Name box, right-click the Files32.vxd file, and then click Delete.

NOTE: The Files32.vxd file is not a Windows file and does not reside on the Windows media.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the Files32.vxd file and the Pretty Park virus, view the following Symantec Web site:

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/prettypark.worm.html

The third-party contact information included in this article is provided to help you find the technical support you need. This contact information is subject to change without notice. Microsoft in no way guarantees the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

Additional query words: prettypark.exe prettypark.worm

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg kbui win95 win98 win98se
Version : WINDOWS:95; winnt:4.0
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbprb