Exploring EXE Errors
You won't find the term "EXE" in the dictionary, even the updated Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Instead you'll find the words "execute" and "execution." These words actually do give you a clue about the meaning of EXE. When launching a program, you are launching a file called the "executable" file or .EXE. For instance, when you click the icon to launch Microsoft Word, you are executing the file called, winword.exe.
Most of the time, you aren't even aware of the file extension .EXE. Until the errors begin sneaking in that is. Suddenly you see an error such as, "Winword.exe has encountered an error and will be shut down." Next thing you know, you can't open MS Word. Not only is this frustrating, it can dramatically affect your productivity. Who has time for constant reboots? Besides, those don't always work for .EXE errors. You also know that you spent a fortune on the software and now it won't run. Getting hold of tech support is probably going to be an exercise in futility.
When EXE errors occur, you may feel like executing your computer! Put down the sledge hammer. There are a couple of common reasons why EXE errors happen: something is interfering with your computer's ability to understand your instructions or something is hogging your computer's resources. Once you understand the nature of your EXE errors, you can take steps to correct them as well as prevent future EXE errors from occurring.
Why would your computer suddenly misunderstand the simple act of clicking a shortcut? Why would your computer suddenly lack sufficient resources to run a program you have successfully used previously? You'll find a variety of culprits including spyware, viruses, and file corruption.
According to recent research reported in Consumer Reports' September 2007 issue, the chances of getting a spyware infection are one in three. The chances of spyware causing serious damage are one in eleven. With odds like these, expect trouble! In addition to the usual worries such as identity theft and invasion of privacy, spyware infections significantly interfere with your computer's ability to function. Imagine all these covert programs running without your knowledge, gobbling up your financial secrets along with processor power, memory, and bandwidth. No wonder you can't execute your executables!
Consumer Reports also said that in the past six months, spyware infections prompted 850,000 U.S. households to replace their computers. That's how bad it can get.
Viruses cause damage in a similar manner. In addition, both spyware and computer viruses can make changes to your system's registry in an attempt to further cloak themselves or protect themselves from detection. They can even disable your security software making your computer even more vulnerable to future infections and more damage. It's a snowball effect and your single EXE error today can become crippling with dozens of computer errors interfering with everything you do. Your computer will slow to a crawl.
File corruption is another potential cause of EXE errors. Remember that thunderstorm that knocked out the power last week? It may have knocked out your files as well. Unexpected shutdowns can cause file corruption. You may need to reinstall your program to fix your exe error.
Missing shortcuts and file associations in the Windows registry can also affect how your computer acts when you try to launch and executable. You click on your desktop icon only to get an EXE error yet when you use Windows Explorer to find the .exe file, it launches fine. Delete the old shortcut and create a new one and see if that solves your EXE errors.
So what should you do about EXE errors? First, rule out spyware and computer viruses and by all means protect yourself against these scourges of the internet. Good anti-spyware and anti-virus programs are essential in today's environment. Removing your infections will likely solve many of your computer errors including EXE errors.
Another cleaning tool you should get is a registry cleaner. A decent registry cleaning utility will go into your Windows registry and clean out all the remnants left behind by spyware and viruses as well as repair damaged file associations and missing shortcuts. In fact, these utilities take care of thousands of minute details and cure the errors at their cause.
Replacing your PC is costly and can be avoided by making a small investment in these simple, and necessary, utilities.