adobe icons everywhere after system updates

[Gadgie]

Hi

 

I was hoping someone can help. After doing some updates on my laptop there are now adobe icons showing everywhere where the proper icons should be. For example where the Kaspersky icon should be the Adobe icon appears instead even though the description still shows as Kaspersky. When I click to open this up instead of Kaspersky opening I get the following message:

 

Adobe Reader could not open "starter_avp.exe" because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged(for example it was sent as an email attachment and wasn't correctly decoded)

 

Can anyone help?

 

Many thanks

[KenB]

Hi Gadgie

 

What seems to have happened is that the file association has been changed and all .exe files are directed to Adobe.

 

There is a MSoft article that explains and offers a solution.

click here

 

Please note - the FixIt is for Vista only.

 

If you have Win 7 then you will need to do this manually.

You should create a Registry Backup before you try the changes.

 

You could also try a System Restore to a date just prior to the start of the problem.

[Gadgie]

Hi Ken

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

I had a quick look at the link and can I ask which registry keys do I back up before hand?

 

I found this online which offers an explanation of how to do the back up before hand can I ask if it looks ok to follow this advice?

 

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/backup-registry-windows-7.htm

 

 

cheers

[Starbuck]

Hi Gadgie

 

If you are not comfortable with editing the registry manually..... there is tool that will do this for you.

This fix will work on XP, Vista and Win7.

 

For all Windows versions please download ExeFix.reg and save it to a flashdrive or on the root of the system drive (usually C: ).

• Important: Boot your computer into the account that has trouble running exe files.
  
• Double-click on ExeFix.reg and confirm the prompt to allow it to merge with the registry.
  
• Reboot your system.
  

[Gadgie]

Hi Starbuck

 

Thanks for the help.

 

Can I ask does the ExeFix.reg just backup the registry before I do the fix or will do the back up and fix the problem with adobe?

 

Also can I ask that when you say "Boot your computer into the account that has trouble running exe files" is this simply logging on to the computer as the user profile that I usually use?

 

Many thanks

[Starbuck]

Hi Gadgie

 

Sorry, I was rushed for time so didn't explain things properly.

The exefix.reg will only fix the problem, it doesn't backup the registry.

 

A manual backup of the registry is quite easy.....

Go to Start ... Run ... type: regedit ... click OK.

 

By default, Windows7 does not have the "Run" command on the start menu... If yours is not there you can either add it or you can type the 'regedit' into the search box and select it from the list that comes up.

To add the 'Run' command....

1. Open the start menu.

2. Right click on a non-icon area and select "Properties".

3. Press the "Customize" button.

4. Scroll down and find the "Run command" checkbox.

5. Check it and press OK.

6. Press OK.

 

You now have your run command on the start menu.

.

• On the leftside, click to highlight Computer at the top of the list.
  
• Go up to File ... Export
  
  Make sure in that window there is a tick next to "All" under Export Branch.
  Leave the "Save As Type" as "Registration Files".
  Under "Filename" put RegBackup.
  

  [*]Choose to save it to C:\

  [*]Click save and then go to File.... click Exit.

 

You will then have a complete backup of your registry.

The chances of anything going wrong is basically none.... but at least we have it covered.

 

 

 

Then you can follow the instructions to run the exefix.reg.

 

Also can I ask that when you say "Boot your computer into the account that has trouble running exe files" is this simply logging on to the computer as the user profile that I usually use?

Yes, that's right.

If you have more than one user account... not all may be effected by the adobe problem.

That's why we say to run the exefix from the account that does have the problem.

[Plastic Nev]

Can I add briefly that if for any reason you do not wish the "Run" command to show permanently on the start menu and only wish to use it when needed, to bring up the "Run" command box press the Windows flag key and the letter "R" together, that will bring the "Run" command window up for you.

 

Nev.

[Gadgie]

Hi Starbuck

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Sorry when I type " regedit " into the run command box and hit ok it comes up with another adobe error message that Adobe cannot find the correct file.

 

What can you suggest?

 

Many thanks

[Starbuck]

Hi Gadgie,

Ok, seems plan A: didn't work.

There's a lot about this problem on the internet and some things work for some..... but occasionally nothing seems to work.

 

Plan B:

Click Start >> Default Programs >> Set your Default Programs

Default Programs can also be selected from Control Panel.

If Adobe is in the left side list... Click it.

On the next list, click Choose Defaults for this program.

Look for .exe on the list that comes up and then remove the tick against it.

Click Save.

Now reboot the computer and see if there's any change.

 

If that doesn't work, try....

 

Plan C:

Uninstall Adobe and then reboot the computer.

[Gadgie]

Hi Starbuck

 

In the end got Plan C to work. Everything looks fine thanks very much for your help its much appreciated.

 

Is there anything different I need to do when re installing Adobe reader?

 

Many thanks

[Starbuck]

Hi Gadgie

 

I'm glad to hear that things are back to normal. :)

 

Is there anything different I need to do when re installing Adobe reader?

I'd play safe if I was you and not bother re-installing Adobe Reader.

Try this instead: Foxit Reader