You receive an error message when you try to start a program that has an .exe file name extension

SYMPTOMS:

You get following error, when you attempt to run a program that has an .exe file name extension.

Windows cannot find FileName.exe

Windows cannot find ProgramName. Make sure you typed the name correctly

Windows cannot find FileName.exe. This program is needed for opening files of type "ProgramName".

CAUSE:

This issue can happen if the W32/Swen.A @ MM (Swen) worm itself is installed on your computer when you install a security update that you received as an e-mail attachment to an unexpected e-mail that claims to be from Microsoft.

RESOLUTION:

Follow these steps, to solve this issue.

1. Reboot your PC in safe mode.
2. Change the file connection for .reg files on your PC. To perform this, follow these steps.

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

a. Right-click My Computer>> click Open.
b. On the Tools menu>>click Folder Options, >> click the File Types tab.
c. In the Registered file types list>>click Registration Entries, >> click Change.
d. In the Choose the program you want to use list>>click Registry Editor>> click OK.

1. Click Other>>click My Computer in the Look in list.
2. Double-click Local Disk (C, and then double-click WINNT.
3. Click regedit, >> click Open.
4. Click OK >> click Close.

Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

a. Right-click My Computer>> click Open.
b. On the Tools menu>>click Folder Options>> click the File Types tab.
c. In the Registered file types list>>click Registration Entries, >> click Change.
d. In the Programs list>> click Registry Editor>> click OK.


1. Click Browse>> click My Computer in the Look in list.
2. Double-click Local Disk (C, and then double-click WINDOWS.
3. Click regedit.exe>> then click Open.
4. Click OK>> click Close.

• Create a .reg file that is named Repair.reg to repair the registry. To perform this, follow these steps:

a. Right-click an empty area on the desktop, point to New, and >>click Text Document.

b. Press ENTER.

c. Double-click New Text Document.txt, and then paste the following in the document:

• REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\System] "DisableRegistryTools"=dword:00000000
•
• [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\exefile\shell\ open\command] @="\"%1\" %*"
•
• [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\batfile\shell\ open\command] @="\"%1\" %*"
•
• [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\comfile\shell\ open\command] @="\"%1\" %*"
•
• [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\piffile\shell\ open\command] @="\"%1\" %*"
•
• [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\scrfile\shell\ open\command] @="\"%1\" %*"

d. On the File menu>>click Save As.

e. In the Save in list>> click Desktop.

f. In the File name box, type Repair.reg.

g. In the Save as type list>>click All Files.

h. Click Save.

i. Double-click Repair.reg on the desktop>>click Yes, >> click OK.

• Update the virus definitions of the antivirus software is installed on your PC. To perform this, scan your PC with antivirus software and follow the instructions for removing the virus.

• Use Task Manager to delete any file that the Swen worm are running as a background system process. To affect this, follow these steps:

a. Right-click the taskbar>> click Task Manager.

b. Click the Processes tab.

c. Click the Image Name column header to alphabetically sort the processes.

d. Scroll through the list of processes, and look for any randomly-named values that the worm created, such as "ZNFUL."

e. If you locate a randomly-named value, click it, and then click End Process. In the Task Manager Warning dialog box, click Yes.

f. Exit Task Manager.
• Reboot your PC after you remove the Virus.