Solved Can't open .EXE files in Windows 8.1 without renaming

[abseh1]

I can't open .EXE files in Windows 8.1 Pro without renaming the file to .exe

The exe file downloads as _exe and not as .exe

I thought I had malware so did a clean install of Win 8.1 Pro to 8 Pro and updated back to win 8.1 Pro ...it did not help but for a short time period
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Simply stated I can open an exe file only if I rename it from _exe to .exe

I have not idea how to fix this

It is more of a minor nuisance to rename every exe file....but I hope someone has a cure

I have searched this website prior to posting and have Googled but only the file name change seems to allow me to open a .exe file

Thanks in advance

BTW: There is a fix from Doug Knox but that is not applicable to Win 8.1

 

[abseh1]

Let me add that my UAC settings are the first notch down which is the default

 

[XweAponX]

I can't open .EXE files in Windows 8.1 Pro without renaming the file to .exe

The exe file downloads as _exe and not as .exe

I thought I had malware so did a clean install of Win 8.1 Pro to 8 Pro and updated back to win 8.1 Pro ...it did not help but for a short time period
======================================================
Simply stated I can open an exe file only if I rename it from _exe to .exe

I have not idea how to fix this

It is more of a minor nuisance to rename every exe file....but I hope someone has a cure

I have searched this website prior to posting and have Googled but only the file name change seems to allow me to open a .exe file

Thanks in advance

BTW: There is a fix from Doug Knox but that is not applicable to Win 8.1

This is something that Internet Explorer does for some incomprehensible reason, I have noticed it several times when downloading from IE10.

Try using a different browser, see if it does the same thing. I'm sure this is IE only though.

 

[XweAponX]

I don't get it, now the extensions are showing, not being replaced with a "_"

Last week I downloaded three files, and all of them got the "_"

Maybe it has to do with what downloaded programs IE detects as unsafe, I have no idea how it chooses what is safe or not.

 

[abseh1]

Thanks it does seem to be an IE 11 issue

Opera downloads and allows an .exe to open as long as you download to Opera Download and not the desktop

In my case IE 11 is the default Browser

Really don't want to change the default

I still wonder why it is just me that has this issue ?

I guess this is kinda solved...I will use a different Browser for downloading and opening .exe files

 

[XweAponX]

Well, it's not just you, I get the problem as well. But for some reason it stopped. Maybe it is BECAUSE I do not have IE set as the default.

It also may be related to Eset NOD32, but usually NOD32 asks you if you wanna allow a suspicious file. Thats what it does in Chrome, in IE maybe it renames the EXE if it is suspicious

 

[abseh1]

XweAponX

OK :thumb: thanks for the feedback...from abs

I did try to run Eset web based (but that was when I thought I had malware)...

I use MS Essential Security as an anti virus program