Regedit.exe is the file that runs the Registry Editor. The Windows Registry is the brain of the Windows PC. But users may rarely encounter problems in accessing the Registry Editor. This error can be very dangerous as the user is not in control of the system and it can be the starting point of a Malware attack.
What Causes the Windows cannot find C:/Windows/regedit.exe error?
Our experts’ team after carefully analyzing the submitted reports by users, was able to find the undermentioned causes of the problem. But before moving on with troubleshooting,
What causes the Registry Editor not to be Found?
1. Run an Antivirus Scan
Malware/virus-infected systems suffer from multiple issues including the problem where Windows cannot access the registry editor. Running a full system scan for the Malware/viruses in the safe mode may solve the problem. There are many tools to perform removal of Malware but we recommend to use Malwarebytes. After scanning and clearing the system with Malwarebytes, restart the system in normal mode and check if the Registry Editor has started to work.
2. Run System File Checker Command
The corrupted system files can cause all types of system problems including Windows cannot find C:\Windows\regedit.exe. This problem requires prompt action from the user to avoid a bigger mess at the end. Windows has a built-in function to check and repair the system files. See System File Checker (SFC) . After our Running SFC scan, check if you can access Registry Editor.
3. Run DISM Command to Repair the System Image
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a Windows Utility to recover system files that could not be recovered by the SFC. See instructions (here). After running the DISM command check if you can access Registry Editor.
4. Change Group Policy Settings
The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) is used for all Computer & User Configuration. It is essential in creating policies that will then be applied to the computer. If due to any reason, the access to Registry Editor in Group Policy is disabled then you will suffer from the problem at hand. If you are using a Windows version without Local Group Policy Editor, then please follow this article. Now restart the system to see if you can access Registry Editor.
5. Change Environmental Variables
Environment variables contain all the information regarding the system environment. Every process of Windows OS has a set of environment variables and their values. If Environmental Variable is wrongly configured, then you will suffer from this variable. Editing the Value may solve the problem. Access the Registry Editor to see if the problem is solved.
6. Copy Regedit from Other Sources
Corrupted Registry Editor Exe file can be the cause the Windows cannot find the regedit.exe. Replacing the Exe file may solve the problem. We can use Windows.old folder for this purpose. You can use another PC to copy the regedit.exe but there are very rare chances for it to work, as both PCs would have a different environment, drivers and components. After copying the regedit.exe file, access the registry editor to see if is functioning properly.
8. Restore Registry Related Values to Default
If the default values relating to Registry Editor are changed, there are great chances of you to suffer from accessing the Registry Editor. Follow the steps below to restore these values to their defaults. After the system is rebooted, check if you can access regedit.exe without any problem.
9. Perform a System Restore
System Restore is a technique included in Windows to restore Windows to a previous version. This technique is quite useful in case the system gets infected or any system Windows files get corrupted. In the case when Windows cannot excess registry editor, then the restoring system can solve the problem. To restore the system, please follow the guidelines After performing a system restore, check if you can access Registry Editor successfully.
Solution 9: Repair the Windows OS
If nothing has helped you so far, then repairing the Windows installation can solve the problem.
How to Fix the Windows Cannot Find steam.exe Error?How to Fix ‘Windows cannot find Bin64InstallManagerAPP.exe’?How to Fix the ‘Windows Cannot Find the Microsoft Software License Terms’ Error…Fix: Windows Cannot Find One of the Files in this Theme
