5 Ways to Fix the "These Files Can't Be Opened" Error on Windows

If Windows refuses to let you open a file, try these fixes to gain access once more.

Did you just try to open a file on Windows and receive an error that said, "These files can't be opened"? The error mostly occurs for .exe files, but some users have also encountered it with other file types too. The issue is most commonly encountered on Windows 7 and 8, but you can still encounter it on a Windows 10 PC.

Fortunately, fixing the error shouldn't take you longer than finishing a cup of coffee. What could take a tad longer though is determining the cause of the error so you can apply the appropriate fix. From Internet Properties to Internet Explorer settings, there could be several reasons that could cause the error.

Whatever the cause, one of the following fixes will set you up so you can access those files again without feeling like pulling your hair out.

1. Check If Your File Is Blocked

Sometimes, when you download an executable file off the internet or transfer files among PCs, Windows may decide to block the file to protect your system. When this happens, you'll witness the error "These files can't be opened", but a two-step fix is all you need to unblock this file.

To illustrate this behavior here, we downloaded the 4K Video Downloader's setup file onto a PC. Windows didn't block access to this file for us, but it did warn us under the Security section in the File Properties > General tab.

The message says "This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer." If you're unable to access the file, you can fix it by checking the Unblock box and pressing OK. If you're on a different version of Windows, you may see a button instead of a checkbox, but the process is the same.

Once you're done, try running the file and see if everything is back on track.

2. Change Your Internet Properties

Windows checks your Internet Properties when deciding if a file should be allowed to run on your PC. If your Internet Properties marks a file as unsafe, Windows will give you the "These files can't be opened" error. As such, to change Windows' behavior, you'll need to make some changes to your Internet Properties.

Note that this will require you to make your security settings less stringent from the Internet Properties. While you may be able to fix the error by doing this, it will also make your system vulnerable to security threats if you're not mindful of which files you download onto your system.

If you decide to take this route, start by opening Internet Properties. To do this, press Win + R, type inetcpl.cpl, and press Enter. Switch to the Security tab in the Internet Properties window and click on the Custom level button.

You'll now see a window called Security Settings - Internet Zone. Scroll through the list under the Settings section and look for Launching applications and unsafe files.

Make sure that the radio button for Prompt (recommended) is selected. This option is typically selected by default, but if you've tinkered with your internet properties in the past, you may have inadvertently changed it to Disable.

Once you're done, click OK and see if you're able to run the file.

3. Try Editing Values in the Windows Registry

If the previous fixes didn't work for you, you can also try allowing unsafe files by editing the Windows registry. You'll need to add a new registry entry using the Command Prompt. Start by launching elevated Command Prompt by pressing Win + R, typing cmd, and pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

Execute the following commands one by one:

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations" /v "DefaultFileTypeRisk" /t REG_DWORD /d "1808" /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Attachments" /v "SaveZoneInformation" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f

This will add two new registry keys. Once you're done, restart your PC and try opening the files.

4. Reset Internet Explorer

If you use Internet Explorer, resetting the settings to default could be helpful. To reset Internet Explorer's settings, click on the ellipsis icon at the top-right of the browser and click on Internet Options. Switch to the Advanced tab and click on the Reset button.

When prompted, confirm the reset and then reboot your PC.

If you still can't run the files you want, perhaps it's time for a last resort.

5. Revert Your Computer to a Previous System Restore Point

If you were able to run a particular file in the recent past but started getting this error after messing around with some settings, you could restore your system to a previous state where everything was going swimmingly.

To do this, you'll first need to make sure that you have a system restore point created on your PC. Start by pressing Win + R, typing rstrui, and pressing Enter. This will launch the System Restore window. If you do have a restore point, you'll see one under the Recommended restore option.

If you don't have a restore point, you'll see a message, "No restore points have been created on your computer's system drive." This means your PC has no point of reference in the past to revert to, and as such, you cannot use this method to fix your issue.

Related: System Restore Not Working on Windows? 5 Tips and Fixes to Try

If you do have a restore point on your system, choose the recommended restore point or choose a different one based on when the problem started occurring, and click on Next. Continue following the wizard's prompts. Once the system is restored, your PC will reboot and you should now be able to run the files you want.

Can You Open the Files Now?

Hopefully, one of these fixes worked for you and you're no longer receiving the These files can't be opened error. If you still are, however, you could try to reset your PC. All settings on your Windows will revert back to default, and some of your files may be lost in the process, so it's good practice to create a backup before you reset.

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