This article shows you how to create a simple executable (EXE) file that can be used on any Windows system. It also explains how to create the relevant installation file which contains all the useful elements for transferring and running the program on another computer. EXE files are also used to install programs or add files on Windows systems. To create an executable installation file you can use the native Windows tool called IExpress.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Creating an EXE File
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Type the keyword notepad into the "Start" menu
This way it will be used to search the entire computer for the "Notepad" program.
Step 3. Select the Notepad icon from the result list that appears
It features a blue and white notebook.
Step 4. Create the source code of the executable program
Proceed by typing one line at a time, or opt to copy and paste an existing code if you've already created it using another tool.
- If you have no programming knowledge, you will need to seek the help of someone who knows how to program in order to complete this step of the procedure.
- Alternatively, you can search online for the source code of simple programs with which you can then generate the related EXE file.
Step 5. Access the File menu
It is located in the upper left corner of the "Notepad" editor window. This will bring up a drop-down menu.
Step 6. Choose the Save As… option
It is located within the drop-down menu File.
Step 7. Select the "Save As" drop-down menu
It is located at the bottom of the page.
Inside the "Save as type" field, you should currently see the option Text documents (*.txt).
Step 8. Choose the item All files from the drop-down menu that appeared
Step 9. Type in the name you want to give your EXE file
Do this using the "File Name" text field, then add the.exe extension. This way the text file you created will be saved as an executable file.
For example, if you want to use the name "banana", in the text field "File name" you will have to type banana.exe
Step 10. Choose the folder in which to store the new file
Use the tree menu on the left of the "Save As" window to select the directory in which to save the EXE file.
Step 11. At the end of the selection press the Save button
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen. In this way the newly created executable file will be stored in the chosen folder with the desired name.
Part 2 of 2: Create an Executable Installation File
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Type the keyword iexpress into the "Start" menu
It will be used to search the entire computer for the "IExpress" program.
For the "IExpress" program icon to appear in the search results list, you need to type the keyword iexpress in full
Step 3. Select the IExpress icon with a mouse click
It features a gray office filing cabinet. It will appear at the top of the search results window.
Step 4. Select the "Create new Self Extraction Directive file" radio button of the "IExpress Wizard" dialog box
It is placed in the center of the window. Normally this option is already selected by default, but if it isn't, do it manually.
Step 5. Press the Next button
It is located in the lower right part of the window.
Step 6. Now select the "Extract files only" option
It is located in the center of the screen.
Step 7. Press the Next button
Step 8. Enter the name you want to give the resulting EXE file
Type it in the text field that appeared on the new screen, then press the button Come on.
Step 9. Choose whether or not you want the user to confirm his willingness to proceed with the installation of the program
To skip this configuration step, press the button Come on. If instead you want the user to confirm his action, select the radio button "Prompt user with" and type the message that will be displayed during installation in the appropriate text field, then press the button Come on.
Using this feature, the message entered in the text field will be shown to the user during the program installation wizard
Step 10. Choose whether or not to use a licensed agreement for the program
If you want to skip this step, simply press the button Come on. If, on the other hand, you want the end user to read the contractual terms for the licensed use of the program, select the "Display a license" option, press the button Browse, choose the text file that contains the contract and finally press the button You open. At this point, press the button Come on to continue.
Step 11. Press the Add button
It is located below the table in the new screen that appeared. This will bring up a dialog box that will allow you to select all the files to be included in the installation procedure.
Any files that you include in the executable installation archive will be automatically copied to the target computer as soon as it is run
Step 12. Select the items to be included in the installation file
Use the tree menu on the left side of the dialog box that appeared to access the folder that contains them, then drag the mouse cursor over the group of files to include while holding down the left button, in order to create a multiple selection of items.
If you need to select a set of non-contiguous files, you can do so by holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard while clicking on the individual items
Step 13. At the end of the selection press the Open button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. This way all the items chosen will be included in the installation file.
At this point you can still add more files by pressing the button again Add and proceeding to the selection of the new elements.
Step 14. Press the Next button
Step 15. Choose the "Default" option and press the Next button
It is the first option starting from the top of the new screen that appeared.
Step 16. Decide whether or not to enter a final message for the user
When the installation procedure of your program comes to the end, you can choose to show a message on the screen for the user who will use it. Choose the "Display message" option, type the message text in the appropriate field and press the button Come on.
If you don't want to include any final messages, just hit the button Come on.
Step 17. Now add the program to install
This is the EXE file you created following the instructions in the previous section of the article. Push the button Browse, access the folder that contains the program file, select it and press the button Save.
If you wish, you can select the "Hide File Extracting Process Animation from User" checkbox so that no visual animation is displayed during the data extraction and installation phase
Step 18. Now press the Next button three times consecutively
This will create the final installation file. The time required to complete this step depends on the number of files included in the installation archive and can range from a few seconds to several minutes.
Step 19. Press the Finish button
It is located in the lower right part of the "IExpress Wizard" window. At this point the installation file of your program will be ready to be distributed and used.
