My computer recently got a file installed on it by someone who i thought wouldn't mess it up, but now i can't open any exe files. whenever i try, it displays the message "this application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling this application may fix this problem." I can't run regedit, task manager, etc., or any other applications. the only thing i can do is run any ms-dos application tools. there is a white bar across the bottom of my screen where the start menu and tabs should be, and a lot of things can't be run i.e. Firewall settings. again, i CANNOT RUN ANY EXE FILES, so any solutions that include opening an exe or running a program aren't going to be of much use. I'm running Windows XP Professional with Service Packs 1 2 and 3.1 person needs an answerI do too

Download the zip file and install the reg file by double-clicking the reg file.http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/xp_exe_fix.zipReply back

My computer recently got a file installed on it by someone who i thought wouldn't mess it up, but now i can't open any exe files. whenever i try, it displays the message "this application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling this application may fix this problem." I can't run regedit, task manager, etc., or any other applications. the only thing i can do is run any ms-dos application tools. there is a white bar across the bottom of my screen where the start menu and tabs should be, and a lot of things can't be run i.e. Firewall settings. again, i CANNOT RUN ANY EXE FILES, so any solutions that include opening an exe or running a program aren't going to be of much use. I'm running Windows XP Professional with Service Packs 1 2 and 3.Beside running the File Associations Fix from Doug, make sure to scan for malware and viruses on your machine with an up2date security software or from another vendor(s). nass -- http://www.nasstec.co.uk