EXE
Encyclopedia
EXE is the common filename extension
denoting an executable
file (a program
) in the DOS
, OpenVMS
, Microsoft Windows
, Symbian
, and OS/2
operating systems.
Besides the executable program, many EXE files contain other components called resources
, such as bitmaps and icons which the executable program may use for its graphical user interface
.
Phar Lap
extenders), and probably more .
When a 16-bit or 32-bit Windows executable is run by Windows, execution starts at either the NE or the PE, and ignores the MZ code. On the other hand, DOS cannot execute these files (except using HX DOS Extender
, which supports PE files only). To prevent DOS from crashing, all Windows executable files should and usually do start with a "working" DOS program called a stub., simply displaying the message "This program cannot be run in DOS mode" (or similar) before exiting cleanly. A few dual-mode programs (MZ-NE or MZ-PE) (such as regedit
and some older WinZIP self extractors) include a more functional DOS section.
Filename extension
A filename extension is a suffix to the name of a computer file applied to indicate the encoding of its contents or usage....
denoting an executable
Executable
In computing, an executable file causes a computer "to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instructions," as opposed to a data file that must be parsed by a program to be meaningful. These instructions are traditionally machine code instructions for a physical CPU...
file (a program
Computer program
A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...
) in the DOS
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
, OpenVMS
OpenVMS
OpenVMS , previously known as VAX-11/VMS, VAX/VMS or VMS, is a computer server operating system that runs on VAX, Alpha and Itanium-based families of computers. Contrary to what its name suggests, OpenVMS is not open source software; however, the source listings are available for purchase...
, Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Symbian
Symbian
Symbian is a mobile operating system and computing platform designed for smartphones and currently maintained by Accenture. The Symbian platform is the successor to Symbian OS and Nokia Series 60; unlike Symbian OS, which needed an additional user interface system, Symbian includes a user...
, and OS/2
OS/2
OS/2 is a computer operating system, initially created by Microsoft and IBM, then later developed by IBM exclusively. The name stands for "Operating System/2," because it was introduced as part of the same generation change release as IBM's "Personal System/2 " line of second-generation personal...
operating systems.
Besides the executable program, many EXE files contain other components called resources
Resource (Windows)
In Microsoft Windows, resources are read-only data embedded in EXE, DLL, CPL or MUI files.The Windows API provides for easy access to all applications' resources.-Types:...
, such as bitmaps and icons which the executable program may use for its graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
.
DOS
- 16-bit DOS MZ executable: The original DOS executable file format, these can be identified by the letters "MZ" at the beginning of the file in ASCII.
- 16-bit New ExecutableNew ExecutableThe New Executable is a 16-bit .exe file format, a successor to the DOS MZ executable format. It was used in a special version of MS-DOS, Windows 1.0, Windows 2.x, and Windows 3.x...
: Introduced with Multitasking MS-DOS 4.0, these can be identified by the "NE" in ASCII. These never became popular or useful for DOS and cannot be run by any other version of DOS, but can usually be run by 16/32-bit Windows and OS/2 versions .
OS/2
- 32-bit Linear Executable: Introduced with OS/2 2.0, these can be identified by the "LX" in ASCII. These can only be run by OS/2 2.0 and higher . They are also used by some DOS extenderDOS extenderA DOS extender is a computer software program which enables software to run under a protected mode environment even though the host operating system is only capable of operating in real mode....
s. - Mixed 16/32-bit Linear Executable: Introduced with OS/2 2.0, these can be identified by the "LE" in ASCII. This format is not used for OS/2 applications anymore, but instead for VxDVxDVxD is the device driver model used in Microsoft Windows/386, the 386 enhanced mode of Windows 3.x, Windows 9x, and to some extend also by the Novell DOS 7, OpenDOS 7.01, and DR-DOS 7.02 multitasker...
drivers under Windows 3.xWindows 3.1xWindows 3.1x is a series of 16-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers. The series began with Windows 3.1, which was first sold during March 1992 as a successor to Windows 3.0...
and Windows 9x, and by some DOS extenders.
Windows
- 32-bit Portable ExecutablePortable ExecutableThe Portable Executable format is a file format for executables, object code and DLLs, used in 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows operating systems. The term "portable" refers to the format's versatility in numerous environments of operating system software architecture...
: Introduced with Windows NT, these are the most complex and can be identified by the "PE" in ASCII (although not at the beginning; these files also begin with "MZ"). These can be run by all versions of Windows and DOSDOSDOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
(DOS runs the MZ section, Windows runs the NE or PE section). Using HX DOS ExtenderHX DOS ExtenderThe HX DOS Extender is a free DOS extender with built-in Win32 PE file format support. Usually the purpose of a DOS extender is to make protected mode features, especially large memory and 32-bit addressing, available for DOS applications. HX fully supports this goal, but goes some steps further...
DOS can load the NE and PE sections. They are also used in BeOSBeOSBeOS is an operating system for personal computers which began development by Be Inc. in 1991. It was first written to run on BeBox hardware. BeOS was optimized for digital media work and was written to take advantage of modern hardware facilities such as symmetric multiprocessing by utilizing...
R3, although the format used by BeOS somewhat violates the PE specification as it doesn't specify a correct subsystem . These can also be used on ReactOSReactOSReactOS is an open source computer operating system intended to be binary compatible with application software and device drivers made for Microsoft Windows NT versions 5.x and up... - 64-bit Portable Executable (PE32+): Introduced by 64-bit versions of Windows, this is a PE file with wider fields. In most cases, you can write code that simply works as either a 32 and 64-bit PE file http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc301805.aspx.
Other
Besides these, there are also many custom EXE formats, such as W3 (a collection of LE files, only used in WIN386.EXE), W4 (a compressed collection of LE files, only used in VMM32.VXD), DL, MP, P2, P3 (last three used byPhar Lap
Phar Lap (company)
Phar Lap was a software company specializing in software development tools for DOS operating systems. They were most noted for their software allowing developers to access memory beyond the 640 KiB limit of DOS and were an author of the VCPI standard.Phar Lap Software, Inc. was founded in April...
extenders), and probably more .
When a 16-bit or 32-bit Windows executable is run by Windows, execution starts at either the NE or the PE, and ignores the MZ code. On the other hand, DOS cannot execute these files (except using HX DOS Extender
HX DOS Extender
The HX DOS Extender is a free DOS extender with built-in Win32 PE file format support. Usually the purpose of a DOS extender is to make protected mode features, especially large memory and 32-bit addressing, available for DOS applications. HX fully supports this goal, but goes some steps further...
, which supports PE files only). To prevent DOS from crashing, all Windows executable files should and usually do start with a "working" DOS program called a stub., simply displaying the message "This program cannot be run in DOS mode" (or similar) before exiting cleanly. A few dual-mode programs (MZ-NE or MZ-PE) (such as regedit
Windows registry
The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It contains settings for low-level operating system components as well as the applications running on the platform: the kernel, device drivers, services, SAM, user...
and some older WinZIP self extractors) include a more functional DOS section.
See also
- Executable and Linkable FormatExecutable and Linkable FormatIn computing, the Executable and Linkable Format is a common standard file format for executables, object code, shared libraries, and core dumps. First published in the System V Application Binary Interface specification, and later in the Tool Interface Standard, it was quickly accepted among...
- EXE packer
- DOS executableDOS executableThe DOS MZ executable format is the executable file format used for .EXE files in DOS.The file can be identified by the ASCII string "MZ" or the hexadecimal 4D 5A at the beginning of the file . "MZ" are the initials of Mark Zbikowski, one of the developers of MS-DOS...
- ExecutableExecutableIn computing, an executable file causes a computer "to perform indicated tasks according to encoded instructions," as opposed to a data file that must be parsed by a program to be meaningful. These instructions are traditionally machine code instructions for a physical CPU...
- Fixed exeFixed exeIn the process of "cracking" software, a fixed EXE is an executable file that has been changed from the original in interest of bypassing the security or coding intended to prevent free use of software. In some programs, the .exe file contains the code necessary for entering the serial number or...
- List of file formats