If you cannot open exe or lnk files, learn how to reset, repair, restore broken EXE or LNK file association in Windows. Use FixExec or apply this fix.

How to Open an EXE File. EXE files are not documents in the traditional business sense; they are executable programs that run on Microsoft Windows computers.

If when you try to run any Windows Troubleshooter, MSDT.exe throws and error Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file, see this post.

If taskbar, Start menu, or File Explorer stop responding, then try restarting the Windows Explorer process before rebooting Windows 10 — Here's how.

Disabling File-Type Warnings Close the program you are using to open the file that gives you the "Always ask before opening this type of file" message, if it's currently running.