Member Avatar for radonn

On my Windows XP computer, I can't run ANY .exe files without it saying "The application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect." Reinstalling does NOTHING. I recently reformatted, and now I'm stuck with NO drivers because I can't run the .exes to install them!!!! PLEASE HELP

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Dani AI

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This symptom — the XP message "The application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect" combined with "no .exe will run" — most often comes from one of three things: a broken .exe file association in the registry, corrupted Side‑by‑Side (SxS) / Visual C++ runtime manifests, or malware that alters shell/file associations. already said a format was done; earlier replies by , , and suggest scans or reinstall, which are valid, but a targeted offline registry repair can restore executable handling without a full reinstall.

Offline registry restore (works when no .exe will run). Boot from the original Windows XP CD, press R to start the Recovery Console, log in as Administrator, then back up the current registry and copy the repair hives:

cd \windows\system32\config
ren system system.bak
ren software software.bak
ren sam sam.bak
ren security security.bak
ren default default.bak

copy \windows\repair\system \windows\system32\config\system
copy \windows\repair\software \windows\system32\config\software
copy \windows\repair\sam \windows\system32\config\sam
copy \windows\repair\security \windows\system32\config\security
copy \windows\repair\default \windows\system32\config\default

exit

Caution: this replaces the live registry with the original install hives (drivers/settings added after install will be lost). If \windows\repair files are not present, this method won’t work.

If some executables can be run (or after the recovery above), restore the normal .exe association by merging a .reg file. Save the block below as fix_exe.reg and merge it (double‑click) or import it from a working WinPE environment:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]
@="Application"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon]
@="%1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

If the registry restore or .reg merge doesn’t restore .exe behavior, use a bootable AV rescue disk to scan offline, or extract driver packages on another PC and install via their .inf files once executables run again. If nothing fixes the problem, a clean reinstall (as suggested by /) is the final option — but try the offline registry restore first and always back up personal data before making further changes.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for rubberman

Virus... Time to clean your system, or reinstall it...

Member Avatar for jak0b

reinstall by booting from the windows install cd.
Select custom install -> when it ask where to install, select advanced and remove previous system partition.
create a new partition and do a full format - then I guarantee it will act different.

:)

Edited by jak0b because: n/a
Member Avatar for flagstar

You'll need full format if problem persist... It could be virus or anything... If you have two or more partition on your HDD, you have to backup every important document out (not all files) on external drive (eg. pendrive, external HDD) because some virus/malware may reside in any partition and trigger those problem...

Do as jakob say in previous post but in addition, format all partition listed available

Member Avatar for khakilang

Maybe you need to provide us more information on how you reformat your hard disk.

Member Avatar for jingda

Reformat is only for last option. Until all the solutions we have suggested did not work, then we will ask the original poster to reformat their computer or laptop. Do not anyhow tell people to reformat their laptop!!

Edited by jingda because: n/a
Member Avatar for flagstar

Reformat is only for last option. Until all the solutions we have suggested did not work, then we will ask the original poster to reformat their computer or laptop. Do not anyhow tell people to reformat their laptop!!

He did say he had reformat before and problem still persist so it's wise to do another reformat and check whether problem still occur...

Member Avatar for jingda

He have not post back and tell us whether our solutions work if it did not, then a reformat would be the best choice. We have to wait for his reply first before telling him what to do next.

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