Now we will look at how to open EXE files. The specified format is very common, and the Windows operating system interacts with it directly, however, there are several subtleties in this issue that you should understand.
An element of the operating system?
Before turning to the question of how to open EXE files, it should be said that we are talking about Windows or DOS applications, as well as executable files. In addition, the .exe extension may have a self-extracting archive.
If you use the Windows operating system, you usually do not need an additional program that opens EXE files, because materials of this type are most often opened with the traditional double-click of the left mouse button.
Emulator work
If your computer has a different operating system, you can additionally use an emulator, such as VMware Workstation, in the case of working with a PC based on Linux or VMware Fusion, when it comes to Mac OS.
If you have a question about why the EXE file does not open, you can edit it using programs such as eXeScope, Resource Hacker, Resource Tuner. In a certain situation, it may happen that all the shortcuts of the EXE files become externally exactly the same, while they are opened by one program.
This can happen due to violation of file type associations. You can solve this problem for current versions of Windows by downloading a small program Unassociate File. After starting the application, select the .exe extension from the list and use the Remove File function. The specified button deletes the present association of materials with the described extension.
If everything is done correctly, after rebooting the application should return to its usual stable state. However, if the program does not want to work, you must use a special REG-file. In this case, the query regarding adding data to the registry should be answered “yes”, then restart the computer.
Learn more about Resource Hacker.
If we talk about how to open EXE files, you can not go past the Resource Hacker application. This is a program through which the user gets the opportunity to make the necessary changes to the basic structure of executable materials in Windows operating systems.
This software solution is used to modify, Russify files, as well as extract various resources from them: sounds, images, texts. The application allows you to decompile materials of the specified type, revealing the contents and at the same time giving the user all the resources at full disposal. They can be used in different ways, for example, replaced with other elements.
After all the work with the files is completed, the program compiles, which results in an application that is ready for use again. Most often, this software package is used by users to remove resources that consume a large amount of free space on a PC.
However, in order to get stable output files, you must have the proper experience. At the same time, you can acquire knowledge by practicing in the program itself, since it can also be used without deep knowledge in programming or building a graphical interface. The application has a very simple and intuitive interface.
By adding a specific executable file, the user will see tree-like directories that have different names, while switching between functions is quite simple. The right part of the window displays the file structure, here the basic actions are performed - extraction, editing, saving. Resource Hacker only supports English menu. However, a user who does not know English well will be able to deal with the application. The program is absolutely free. At the same time, the decompiler and compiler built into the application allow you to modify almost all files that have the extension .exe, as well as .res. The extracted information can be saved in formats such as .rc, .bmp, .res, .ico and .bin.
Unusual option
If you are interested in a program for opening EXE files, you can not help but say that applications from PortableApps.com have received such an extension. This is a program that can be launched from one of the portable devices, for example, from an external hard drive, an iPod or a USB drive.
The material contains user settings located on a specific external drive, which allows the application to run equally on any of the computers. The specified format was developed by the creators of the site PortableApps.com.
Portability
This solution enables the user to run his favorite set of programs directly from a flash drive connected to any personal computer. It is also worth noting that the file of such a portable application most often has the double extension .paf.exe.
Now you know how to open the EXE files and in what cases this extension is used.