Adobe Reader 9.0 takes over most Exe. programs

Help!  I am using Vista (can't change this). When I upgrade to Adobe 9.0, the links for most all Exe. programs are replaced by link to Adobe.  I note that others have referenced this problem for months. I can't believe I or anyone else is supposed to manually fix all the Exe. links. What's up with this?  What's the problem and the fix?  Thank you.

I would just like to say again that this isNOT a Reader bug.  This is a Windows issue, most likely triggered by an issue with Windows Installer (which is used to install Reader).  You guys just happened to encounter it when you were installing Reader.
Here is the actual Microsoft KB document covering this issue:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555067
Here for example is a link to the same problem with WordPad:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/226825-46-help-files-converted-wordpad
Two, there are several ways to fix this issue.  I also want to state that I have fixed this issue several times for others.  I have also intentionally caused this issue so that I could be sure that the fixes I used did work (Win XP, Win 2K and Win Vista).  From the above link:
Method 1)
Manually edit the registry to remove the default association with .exe files.  Here is the walk through from the MS KB:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555067
Here is the same walk through detailing how to do this on the MS forums:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistaprograms/thread/16be61fe-76ef-4b91-9 f60-3338cbcefb97
Also please note this note at the bottom of the KB document:
"Note: If you are using Windows XP and you enable "System Restore" , you need to
           disable "System Restore" in "Safe Mode" before using the instructions above."
Here is how to enter Safe Mode (excerpt from MS KB doc):
Restart the computer in Safe Mode
To restart the computer in Safe Mode, use the appropriate method for your version of Microsoft Windows.
   1. Shut down, and then restart the computer.
   2. When you see the "Please select the operating system to start" message, press F8.
   3. On the Windows Advanced Options menu, use the ARROW keys to select Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.
   4. If you have a dual-boot computer or a multiboot computer, select the appropriate operating system from the list, and then press ENTER.
For more information about Safe Mode, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/ ) A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/202485/ ) Description of Safe Boot Mode in Windows 2000
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/180902/ ) How to start a Windows 98-based computer in Safe Mode
Here is how to turn off system restore:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
Method 2)
Open up a command line prompt.  This can be done by going to Start > Run.  In the Run box type, "cmd" and press enter.  (don't type the quotes).
The rest is from the above post
>>
Reason is that your file associations has changed.
From the command prompt, type:
1. C:\>assoc|more <enter> --- this tells you the file associations that are in place
2. C:\>assoc .exe= <enter> ---- this removes the association on .exe files
>>
More information can be found in this Microsoft KB document:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=323526

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