What is an exe file? How to open and convert exe files on your computer

For Windows operating system users, it is probably no longer strange for files with the exe extension on the computer. So do you understand what an exe file is? How to open and extract files with exe extension on Windows and Macbook computers? Let's learn more information with TipsMake through the following article.

Content

1. What is an exe file?
2. What does an exe file do on a computer?
3. Software that supports reading exe files
   1. 1. Resource Hacker
   2. 2. eXeScope
   3. 3. Akala EXE Lock
4. Instructions on how to open exe files on your computer
   1. For Windows
   2. For Macbooks
5. Simple instructions for extracting exe files
6. How to convert exe files
7. How to create EXE Package
8. Are exe files dangerous?
9. What are frequently asked questions about exe files?
   1. How to run EXE file in Command Prompt?
   2. Where is the Minecraft EXE file located on the computer?
   3. Can .exe files run automatically?
   4. Is the .exe file a virus?
10. Epilogue

What is an exe file?

The exe file ( execute ) on the Windows operating system is known as an executable file format . In addition to Windows, exe files also appear in operating systems such as MS-DOS, OpenVMS, ReactOS to support running software installation programs.

Software installation programs often have names like setup.exe or install.exe . Application files are often named after the unique name of the software program. For example, when you download the Firefox browser installation program to your computer, the installer will be named Firefox Setup.exe. The executable file firefox.exe is located in the program folder.

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Popular exe files today:

1. Setup.exe: This is considered the most popular file for software installers today. When opened they will begin the installation process.
2. Install.exe: This file will perform their 'install' function for the software installation process.
3. cmd.exe: This file is known as the 'shell' program used for Windows 2000 and above, replacing shell.COM.COM.

Note when using exe files:

Windows exe files are legal, but they cannot avoid being used by bad guys for attacks and intrusions by installing code and viruses.

Before opening any exe file, you need to verify that the source of their download is legal and comes from official sources. Do not double-click downloaded exe files of unknown origin or receive them from strange emails to avoid being infected with viruses or malicious code.

What does an exe file do on a computer?

An exe file is a file containing machine code that executes on the computer's hard drive. When you start the software on your computer, the commands available in the exe file will be launched. Then, the file will be loaded into RAM and run as a process.

Having too many programs running on the system will affect the machine's performance. To reduce system load, you can use Windows Task Manager or Microsoft System Configuration Utility (MSConfig) to find and kill running processes at startup.

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Non-system processes such as exe files come from software you have installed on your computer. Most applications store data on the hard drive and in the system register, so the computer is likely to become fragmented and accumulate invalid entries, greatly affecting performance.

When using Windows Task Manager, you can detect exe processes that are using CPU, memory, disk, and computer network. To access Windows Task Manager, you just need to press the key combination Ctrl + Shift + Esc on the keyboard.

Software that supports reading exe files

To read exe files, you can use support tools pre-installed on your computer. Below are the 3 most common software.

1. Resource Hacker

Resource Hacker is a software on Windows computers that supports many different features when working with exe files. This software helps you add and remove files, change information as well as automate many other tasks on the file to save time.

The outstanding features of Resource Hacker are:

1. Change the components in the structure file.
2. Supports users to view components contained in the file.
3. Decode and add or remove content in the file.
4. Copy the original file into a new file.
5. Brings a new working style to Windows.

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2. eXeScope

eXeScope is software that helps you operate on an exe file or dll file with many different features. Below are the outstanding features eXeScope brings to you:

1. Supports viewing and analyzing program files available on the system.
2. Helps modify components contained in the file.
3. Supports many different file formats such as exe, dll, ocx,.
4. You can batch edit exe files to save time.
5. Support rewriting a new program.
6. Improved performance when viewing and editing exe files.

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3. Akala EXE Lock

Akala EXE Lock is software that helps you protect your data and prevent unauthorized access from others to your exe file. Outstanding features of Akala EXE Lock:

1. Provides a secure lock feature to protect data from theft and unauthorized intrusion.
2. Create a password for data files to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Do not encrypt the data.
4. Can apply to files and programs on hard drives.

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Instructions on how to open exe files on your computer

Below are instructions on how to open exe files on Windows operating systems and macOS operating systems.

For Windows

Most Windows computers do not require software to open the exe file because the operating system can handle it itself. But there will be times when the exe file is corrupted or infected with a virus, Windows will ask users to use other tools to open the file such as Notepad, but this method will not be available.

To fix this situation, you need to restore the registry link of the exe file. These executable files have the ability to self-extract to a specific location.

If you want to open a self-extracting exe file without extracting the file, use decompression tools like PeaZip, jZip, 7-Zip. Right-click on the file and select open with the above tools to view the exe file.

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For Macbooks

Software that supports opening exe files on Macbook is only available as exe programs or installers. The regular Mac version of the program will not be available, you can choose to run Windows itself on the macOS operating system using virtual machines and emulators.

Some virtual machine software you can use are VMware Fusion, Parallels, Desktop, Boot Camp. Windows emulator programs will help you install programs that open exe files.

Besides, if you don't want to install a virtual machine, you can also solve the problem with the WineBottler program on your Macbook.

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Simple instructions for extracting exe files

To extract the exe file, you just need to do the following 3 simple steps:

1. Step 1: Download and install 7-Zip software to support decompression.

1. Step 2: Right click on the exe file -> Select 7-Zip -> Select Open archive.

1. Step 3: Click Extract -> Choose where to save the file -> Click OK .

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How to convert exe files

Converting from an exe file to another file format that can be used on the macOS operating system is inappropriate. Because this way of building a launch file is intended for use with the Windows operating system, when compiling the exe file, it will create other compatible files on the computer.

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Instead, you can find a software version available on the operating system to use those files normally. For example, CCleaner software helps you download exe files for Windows and dmg files for macOS computers.

How to create EXE Package

Packaging any application will become very simple when there is an EXE Package support tool. DSM will ensure that all executable files as well as other files will be completely packaged for easy sharing. DSM will create the necessary scripts to install or remove files, then automatically copy the files to a folder named Extern$.

Below are the specific steps to pack the EXE file, specifically as follows:

1. Step 1: In the Software Library section , select the software you want to package.

1. Step 2: Select Create an Application Package -> EXE Package. Next, follow the instructions.

1. Step 3: Enter the package name and select the executable file.

Here, if you need to package many additional files to support the installation, choose to package all files into the same folder.

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1. Step 4: Set file execution options in Command line options .

1. Step 5: Use Timeout to set the time for the installation process to wait before the system announces Failed . Next select Continue .

1. Step 6: If you want to uninstall the application, you can use the Support Uninstallation option.

1. Step 7: Import the executable file. For example, Uninstall.exe and required parameters, Timeout for uninstall (timeout for installation).

1. Step 8: Click Continue and complete the exe file packaging process.

Are exe files dangerous?

There are many bad actors who spread malware via exe files, often in the background of a seemingly safe program. When you launch the file, virus infection and malicious code will occur, negatively affecting the computer and sometimes you cannot detect the presence of malicious code in the computer.

In reality, the programs that install software from the exe file you download may be real, but it may contain a virus or be a fake software with a familiar name to trick users into downloading them.

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So, be careful when downloading exe files from the Internet or opening them in your email inbox. Exe files have such a high risk of malware and viruses that email service providers do not allow them to be sent and even ban ZIP versions containing exe files. Make sure the receiving source is safe before opening the executable file.

In essence, exe files are installation files for any program. Therefore, if you download a file that you believe will be an image, video, document, etc. but realize that the file extension is .exe, delete it immediately. 

It's best to keep anti-virus software active to minimize unnecessary risks when running exe files on your computer.

What are frequently asked questions about exe files?

Below are answers to some questions related to exe files that people often encounter.

How to run EXE file in Command Prompt?

First, open the Command Prompt window by pressing Windows + R, the Run dialog box appears, type cmd and click OK. 
In the window that appears, enter cd path_name . When the results display in the correct folder, enter start file_name.exe to run the file you want.

Where is the Minecraft EXE file located on the computer?

For the Java version of Minecraft, you can check the location of the downloaded game's executable file using AppData on Windows.
For macOS operating systems, to find the exe file, open a Finder window and enter ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft.

Can .exe files run automatically?

Any executable file can be launched when activated by double clicking. However, when you do not double-click on the file, it can still run automatically thanks to the Windows Registry, such as when Windows starts.

Therefore, exe files can run automatically by creating a copy and pointing the autostart registry key there. Another way is to drop a copy or shortcut into the Startup section because this is where all the files that will launch as soon as Windows starts are stored.

In addition, there are a number of other agents that can make exe files run automatically on the computer such as AutoPlay and AutoRun features that run in Windows when connections are made, often when connecting to USB.

Malicious software can be hidden in the device's firmware when connected to a computer. Therefore, you should not rely too much on USBs found somewhere or donated USBs if you do not want to take unnecessary risks.

Is the .exe file a virus?

An exe file is a common file type like other types of data files. Therefore, it also has the potential risk of viruses and malware installed by bad guys. In fact, most of these executable files are safe to launch software installation.

Files with the exe extension are all programs that have been translated into machine code. So whether it is malicious or not will depend on the code contained in it.

Epilogue

Above is all the knowledge that provides information about what an exe file is, how to use it, how to open the file as well as how to package programs into exe files so you can understand better. Always be careful when downloading and activating exe files from Internet sources and via email inbox to avoid infection of viruses and malware on your computer.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 02 October 2023