EXE file extension

EXE is an extension for programs in DOS and Windows OS. The Exe format refers to a group of executable files that contain all the data for installing the application. Compression algorithms are used to compactly distribute the installation file.

File contents

An object with the EXE extension is found in Windows OS. The exe program contains scripts and compiled program code that starts the installation of applications. The contents of the EXE object include:

• Program resources - graphics and other media elements, as well as compressed packages (.package) of program code classes;
• Object shapes (bitmaps, sheets, application icons);
• Information for the file loader;
• The installation startup module.

When the EXE is started, the system starts automatic initialization of all archived components of the flash drive, virtual or hard disk. The components of an EXE file include program libraries, connected services, and program code.

After unpacking the executable file in the operating system, initialization of all program classes and installation of the application begins.

Programs to open EXE

In Windows, an Exe object can be opened using a standard installer or utility 7Zip. To launch a file, just double-click on it with the mouse or launch the object through the archiver menu. To run in macOS, install the Windows emulator and open the Exe file in it.

EXE can be not only a program installation module, but also a self-extracting archive. Running Exe files allows its contents to be unpacked to a folder specified by the user or by the archive itself.

To view the contents of the EXE file without running it, you should use the developer tools, namely the software package Visual Studio. You can use it to edit software resources, change the interface and functions of the software module. Changes can only be made for open source applications (which do not use encryption).