Files with the extension ".exe" are commonly referred to as executables or simply EXE files. This type of file is one of the most used in Windows operating systems, where it is called into question every time you install or run a program or application. Executable files are very useful for distributing scripts and macros, as they allow users to create a single compressed file containing all the code. Learning to open an EXE file is a very simple process that allows you to easily install and run all your favorite programs.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Run an EXE File (Windows Systems)
Step 1. To execute an EXE file, select it with a simple double click of the mouse
In Windows environments, EXE files are designed to run as programs, so simply select any executable file with a double click of the mouse.
- If the EXE file in question has been downloaded from the web, the operating system will ask you to confirm your choice before running it. Be very cautious about running EXE files downloaded from unknown sources, it is in fact the easiest way to infect your computer with viruses and malware. Never open executable files attached to e-mail messages, even when the sender is a known person.
- Executable files created for older versions of Windows may not work correctly on today's computers using the most up-to-date versions. If you want to try to solve the compatibility problems, select the file in question with the right mouse button, choose the item "Properties" from the contextual menu that appeared and finally access the Compatibility tab. From the tab that appears, you will be able to select which version of Windows you want to run the file for, without guaranteeing that all compatibility issues are resolved.
Step 2. If you are unable to execute a specific EXE file, access the registry editor
If after trying to open an executable file, you see an error message appear on the screen or if the related program does not start, the problem may be related to the Windows registry settings. Having to modify such an important element of Windows may be intimidating, but fear not, it is a process that only takes a few minutes.
To open the registry editor, use the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + R, then type the following regedit command in the "Open" field of the window that appears
Step 3. Access the following registry key
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \.exe.
To do this, use the tree menu on the left of the editor's graphical interface.
Step 4. With the right mouse button select the item "(Default)" in the right pane, then choose the "Edit" option from the context menu that appeared
A new window will appear.
Step 5. In the "Value data" field, enter the following value
exefile.
When finished, press the OK button to apply the changes.
Step 6. Access the following registry key
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT / exefile.
To do this, use the tree menu on the left of the editor's graphical interface.
Step 7. With the right mouse button select the "(Default)" item in the right pane, then choose the "Edit" option from the context menu that appeared
A new window will appear.
Step 8. Inside the "Value data" field, enter the following value
"%1" %*.
When finished, press the OK button to apply the changes.
Step 9. Access the following registry key
KEY_CLASSES_ROOT / exefile / shell / open.
To do this, use the tree menu on the left of the editor's graphical interface.
Step 10. With the right mouse button select the "(Default)" item in the right pane, then choose the "Edit" option from the context menu that appeared
A new window will appear.
Step 11. Inside the "Value data" field, enter the following value
"%1" %*.
When finished, press the OK button to apply the changes.
Step 12. Restart your computer
After modifying the three registry keys indicated, close the editor and restart the system. You should now be able to open EXE files without any problems. The advice is to still try to identify the cause of the problem as quickly as possible. Very often the difficulties derive from malware or viruses that may still be active in the system, a scenario for which the problem just solved could therefore recur. Select the following link for more information on how to detect and remove a computer virus.
Method 2 of 3: Run an EXE File (OS X Systems)
Step 1. Understand the process of integrating executable files into OS X systems
Not being designed for OS X systems, in order to open this type of file, you will need to use special software. It is an open-source program called "Wine" that adds a Windows "wrapper" capable of accessing and managing the files needed to run an EXE file. Wine is unable to run any executable file, so some programs may perform better than others. To install Wine it is not necessary to have the Windows installation disc.
Step 2. Download the Xcode program from the Mac App Store and install it
It is a free tool required for compiling the source code of a software. You will not have to use it directly, it will be used by Wine and the other installed tools, in order to open and manage an EXE file.
Once the download is complete, launch Xcode. Access the "Xcode" menu, select the "Preferences" item and finally open the "Downloads" tab. Press the Install button next to "Command Line Tools"
Step 3. Download and install MacPorts
It is a free utility that simplifies the code compilation process. You will need to use it to compile your version of Wine. You can download it from the following website macports.org/install.php. Select the link for the version of OS X you are using, then double-click on the relative ".pkg" file to download it to your computer and be able to install MacPorts.
Step 4. Open the "Terminal" window
You will need to use this tool in order to change the MacPorts program settings. To open a "Terminal" window, go to the "Utilities" folder.
Step 5. Copy and paste the following command into the "Terminal" window and then press the Enter key:
echo export PATH = / opt / local / bin: / opt / local / sbin: / $ PATH $ '\ n'export MANPATH = / opt / local / man: / $ MANPATH | sudo tee -a / etc / profile
Step 6. Enter your system administrator password
In order to execute this command, you will be asked to enter your password. While typing your password, you will not see any characters appear on the screen. When finished entering, press the Enter key. If no password is associated with your administrator profile, the process cannot be completed.
Step 7. Copy and paste the following command
This code tells the MacPorts program if the OS X system uses a 64-bit architecture. Paste the following code into the "Terminal" window and press the Enter key:
if [`sysctl -n hw.cpu64bit_capable` -eq 1]; then echo "+ universal" | sudo tee -a /opt/local/etc/macports/variants.conf; else echo "n / a"; fi
Step 8. Type the command to accept the terms of the license agreement for the Xcode program
This is a quick and easy process that allows you to use Xcode for compiling your source code. After running the command, close and reopen the "Terminal" window:
sudo xcodebuild -license
Step 9. Type the command to install Wine
After reopening the "Terminal" window, you can proceed with the installation of Wine. You may need to re-enter the administrator account password. Also, it may take some time for the installation process to be complete. You will notice that the installation is complete when you see the "Terminal" window prompt again:
sudo port install wine
Step 10. Navigate to the directory where the EXE file is stored
Use the cd command to navigate to the folder that contains the EXE file you want to run. This operation must also be done through the "Terminal" window.
Step 11. Use the Wine program to run the EXE file in question
Type the following command to execute the EXE file located in the current directory. Replace the [filename] parameter with the name of the file you want to open:
wine [filename].exe
Step 12. Use the program you just started as usual
In case the EXE file is related to a "standalone" program, you will be able to use it immediately. Since this is an installer file, you can instead proceed as if you were using a Windows system.
Remember that Wine does not support all programs. For a complete list of working software visit the following web page appdb.winehq.org
Step 13. Launch the newly installed programs
If the EXE file in question was used to install software, you will need to use Wine to start the program in question.
- Use the following command cd ~ /.wine / drive_c / Program / Files / to access the "Program Files" directory where all programs using Wine are installed.
- Use the ls command to view the complete list of all installed programs. Use the cd [program_name] command to access the directory of the program in question. If, within the command, the folder name has spaces, you must precede them with the / character. For example, the command to access the "Microsoft Office" folder will be the following cd Microsoft / Office.
- To find the name of the EXE to run, type the ls command again inside the new folder.
- Use the command wine [filename].exe to run the program.
Step 14. If the program in question requires the use of the Microsoft. NET Framework, install the Mono libraries
The. NET framework is a set of libraries that are used by many Windows programs. Mono is an open-source project whose goal is to play the same role as the. NET framework in OS X environments. Wine will use the Mono libraries to run all programs that require the. NET framework.
- Type the following command sudo port install winetricks and press the Enter key.
- To install the Mono libraries, type the following winetricks mono210 command and press the Enter key.
Method 3 of 3: Extract the Contents of an EXE File
Step 1. Download and install the "7-Zip" program
It is a free open-source software that allows you to open EXE files as if they were ZIP or RAR archives. This procedure works with many executable files, but not all.
You can download the 7-Zip program from the following URL: 7-zip.org
Step 2. Select the EXE file in question with the right mouse button
Choose the item "7-Zip" from the context menu that appeared and choose the "Open archive" option. In this way the EXE file in question will be opened within the 7-Zip interface. If the context menu does not have the "7-Zip" option, start the program directly from the "Start" menu and use the "Open" option of 7-Zip to select the EXE file to open.
Remember that 7-Zip cannot open all executable files. In some cases you may see an error message appear on the screen. If so, try using a different program for managing compressed archives, such as "WinRAR" (it may still be impossible to open the file in question due to the way it was compiled)
Step 3. Browse the contents of the executable file in question to locate the items you want to extract
When you open an EXE file via 7-Zip, you are shown a list of the folders and files it contains. To view the files inserted in a specific folder, select it with a double click of the mouse. To perform a multiple selection of files, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on individual items.
Step 4. At the end of the selection press the "Extract" button
You will need to choose the destination folder, which, by default, is the same directory where the executable file is stored.
