Windows 11 PRO “cannot find” some .EXE programs when I try to execute them, either via shortcut or via direct double-click

The problem: Windows 11 PRO “cannot find” some .EXE programs when I try to execute them, either via shortcut or via direct double-click of the .EXE itself. Most of my .EXEs were populated onto the Desktop PC via transfer from another PC which was running Windows 11 Home, upgraded from Windows 10 Home last year. Many transferred with no problem. It appears to me across several examples that the difference between those that worked post-transfer and those that do not is that the non-addressable EXEs all are stored in folder PROGRAM FILES in a subfolder (or sub-subfolder) with one or more spaces in the folder name.

I have tried all of the standard recommended CMD and Powershell “fixes”, and none have made any difference.

I also tried deleting and reloading one of the .EXE applications on the old upgraded Windows 11 Home PC and it still worked. I reloaded onto the new PC, and it still has the “Windows cannot find” problem. I created a new folder without spaces in the name on the new PC and copied all of the subfolder files to it, and the application did try to run though was unable to do some external communication things (like activation). I did the same thing on the old PC, and the application ran perfectly from its new folder, including activation.

If they were just copied from another machine you probably have permission issues.

What would I do about that? But I'm not sure why my "copy" of the "copy" would more or less work when the original "copy" wouldn't. AS I said above, I do have activation keys and unused activations available for this specific app and was running as ADMIN, so I continue to think I have a more general problem.

From File Explorer, open Properties on one of the EXE files.

Look in the General tab, check for a warning on the bottom which says "This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer."

If that's the case, then follow this tutorial:

The problem with Windows-based programs is they have to be installed so as to get their files in the proper location, shortcuts are created, support files are put in the Windows folder or its subfolders and Registry entries made so Windows knows how to do things. One time-consuming way I've had to do a few times is try to open a program from a shortcut and if if doesn't work check the properties of the shortcut to see where the file is located then search through File Explorer to locate it, sometimes have to create a new shortcut. A few times not all the files for a program got copied but having the old machine at hand helped in getting them and putting into the right place.

I understand all that and have done all of them (except REGISTRY). There is a general problem here which struck some but not all of the transferred apps. My testing suggests a problem in folder names with a space in them.

jaimetex said:

My testing suggests a problem in folder names with a space in them.

Click to expand...

That certainly can be a problem, might try with no space or a dash.

And that general problem once again is that Windows 11 PRO “cannot find” some .EXE programs when I try to execute them, either via shortcut or via direct double-click of the .EXE itself.

I did try and described some testing on the point of trying without spaces, but the install program doesn't allow a change in destination. Thus my feeble testing which did seem to show the problem was the spaces. The question is what can be done about it? A Windows bug?

The solution may lie in simply reinstalling the desired programs.

Sounds ro me like you are syncing the desktop folder on both these computers to onedrive. The only way .exe files or shortcuts to .exe files will work on the the 11 computer is for you to install the application you are trying to access on that computer. The application path must be the same for one of the old shortcuts to work.. (In other words, an exe file or shortcut can not open an application unless that application is installed on that computer.)

Syncing the desktop to onedrive where multiple computers are involved opens up a big ol' can of worms.

Also, if you used some third party transfer application between 2 computers, that also can also be a big ol' can of worms.

It depends on which of the above situations caused this problem. If you are syncing 2 computers with onedrive, the way to solve it is to unsync the desktop folder on BOTH systems and then manually delete any invalid desktop shortcuts on both.
Option 2 here

Note: Know that if desktop folder is syncing to onedrive so are document, pictures, and videos folders. You can unsync any or all of them depending on your wants or needs.

I think I just figured out how I should have been replying to your replies within your replies. Sorry about that.

glasskuter said:

Sounds ro me like you are syncing the desktop folder on both these computers to onedrive. The only way .exe files or shortcuts to .exe files will work on the the 11 computer is for you to install the application you are trying to access on that computer. The application path must be the same for one of the old shortcuts to work.. (In other words, an exe file or shortcut can not open an application unless that application is installed on that computer.)

Syncing the desktop to onedrive where multiple computers are involved opens up a big ol' can of worms.

Also, if you used some third party transfer application between 2 computers, that also can also be a big ol' can of worms.

It depends on which of the above situations caused this problem. If you are syncing 2 computers with onedrive, the way to solve it is to unsync the desktop folder on BOTH systems and then manually delete any invalid desktop shortcuts on both.
Option 2 here

Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off OneDrive folder backup and sync for your Microsoft account across all your Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices you sign in with the same Microsoft account. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you...

www.elevenforum.com

Note: Know that if desktop folder is syncing to onedrive so are document, pictures, and videos folders. You can unsync any or all of them depending on your wants or needs.

Click to expand...

The problem is as described. A properly coded shortcut gets the "Windows cannot find" message when double-clicked. AND a double-click on the .EXE itself also gets the "Windows cannot find" message. This is for an application that I had freshly downloaded and run the installation program for and could see in File Explorer.

I then copied via File Explorer all the contents of the folder containing the .EXE -- and I know, no reason to believe it would work, but it more or less did. I set up a shortcut with the new path and it started the .EXE. I double-clicked the .EXE in its new folder, and again it more or less worked.

If OneDrive interfers with that, then I'll look again. But the app was freshly installed and more or less ran as a test (unactivated) version from the new folder with no spaces in its name. P.S., No, neither of the shortcuts was in OneDrive.

jaimetex said:

I then copied via File Explorer all the contents of the folder containing the .EXE --

Click to expand...

It doesn't work that way. That does not populate the necessary registry entries , appdata or programdata entries either.

glasskuter said:

It doesn't work that way. That does not populate the necessary registry entries , appdata or programdata entries either.

Click to expand...

Yeah - that would only work with portable programs which many (most?) are not.