Some executable files work on multiple operating systems and use different file extensions. You may be able to determine which operating system your executable file runs on by the letters in the file extension : Different operating systems have different executable file extensions. You trigger the program by selecting the icon of the file, though there may be some verification prompts to start the execution. Executable files are typically used to install and run software applications. What is an executable file?Īn executable file is a program that you can run on your computer's operating system. In this article, we discuss what an executable file is and six methods you can use to open one on your computer, regardless of your operating system. If you want to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the data in these files, it's helpful to know how to open them securely. The more people who work at a company and have different responsibilities, the more likely it is that they're sharing executable files between devices and operating systems, which can make it challenging to know how to access the files. Businesses use executable files to store data and run programs on a variety of devices.

How to use exe files on mac