What is a .exe file? (EXE)

An EXE is a Windows program, a file that runs code when you open it. It is how most Windows software and installers ship, which also makes it the format to be most careful with, because a malicious EXE can do real harm.

What is a .exe file used for?

An EXE contains machine code that Windows runs directly. Applications, games and installers are all EXE files.

Because opening one runs a program, an EXE is powerful and potentially dangerous. This is the single format where source matters most.

EXE files do not run on Mac or Linux without a compatibility layer like Wine, and even then not all will work.

How to open a .exe file

The .exe format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .exe file.

Windows

Run by double-clicking (trusted only)

macOS

Wine (limited)
not native

Linux

Wine (limited)
not native

Web

Not applicable

How to convert a .exe file

You can convert a .exe file to Not convertible using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.

.exe file signature (magic bytes)

Programs recognise a .exe file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for EXE. For a full breakdown, see the EXE file signature page.

Hex signature	Offset	Note
4D 5A	0	'MZ' DOS header

See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.

Frequently asked questions

What is a .exe file?

Is it safe to run an EXE file?

Only if you trust the source. An EXE runs code on your computer, so download them from official websites and scan them before running.

How do I run an EXE on a Mac?

Macs cannot run EXE files natively. A compatibility layer like Wine or CrossOver can run some Windows programs, but support varies.

Related formats

Sources

Details on this page were checked against authoritative references:

Wikipedia: .exe