Some (not all) setup EXE files do not execute.

Many recent EXE application set up files will not run. This presumably started a few days ago, but I then thought it was confined to just one setup EXE (Ultimaker_Cura-4.10.0-amd64.exe). This morning I discovered it's many (but NOT all) of them. The inactive ones seem to be the most recent (4-6 weeks). And if there's an MSI alternative, that does not run either.

As far as I can tell all program EXEs do open correctly. It's just the setup EXEs that have this weird problem.

Examples of setup files that do NOT run:
Everything-1.4.1.1009.x64-Setup.exe
OfficeSetup.exe
iview458_setup.exe
Google_Chrome_(32bit)_v91.0.4472.101.exe
Ultimaker_Cura-4.9.1-amd64.exe

Examples of setup files that DO run:
VLC_Media_Player_(64bit)_v3.0.14.exe
Skype_v8.72.0.94.exe
NotePad_(64bit)_v7.9.5.exe
MediaMonkey_v5.0.0.2338.exe
Everything_(64bit)_v1.4.1.1003.exe
FastStone_Capture_v9.5.exe

Tried many things, including the familiar sfc /scannow, DISM ScanHealth, and various suggestions such as all those here:
Fix: .Exe files not opening in Windows 10

As many do run that was, of course, desperation flying in the face of logic, and none have fixed it.

I'm now pondering the fact that the failures appear to be mainly the more recent files downloaded. Could it be down to a recent Win 10 update I wonder?

This is Win 10 Pro Version 20H2 (OS Build 19042.1110).

- - - Updated - - -

I finally found the cause of the setup EXEs failing.
Tried downloading with Chrome instead of Waterfox. Got a 'Blocked' message. That was the clue to go hunting in the Win 10 Internet security settings. Enabled an obscure option (that perhaps had somehow become disabled) and after download they now execute.

Hello @Terrypin,

I had this happen to me last year with a couple of exe files.

Out of interest, did you try running the exe files from the CMD Prompt, which worked fro me. I ran SFC and DISM RestoreHealth which seemed to correct the overall problem.

I hope this helps.

Hi,

Yes, command prompt no different.

"Tried many things, including the familiar sfc /scannow, DISM ScanHealth, and...."

Solution as described.

Terry

In security have you get set only run apps from MS store?