.exe
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Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox file format In Windows, OS/2, and DOS, .exe is the filename extension for a file that is runnable as a native executable computer program.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Such a file is sometimes referred to an EXE Template:Endash as one historical way to identify a file extension is without the dot prefix and capitalized.
File formats
Although the EXE file format has a common lineage across related operating system (OS) versions, the format was enhanced over time. Some amount of backward compatibility was supported in later versions but earlier versions cannot run an EXE formatted for a newer version. Formats include:
- Template:AnchorDOS MZ executable
- The DOS MZ executable format is used by MS-DOS compatible operating systems. This format is 16-bit.
- Template:AnchorNew Executable
- The New Executable (NE) format was introduced with the multitasking MS-DOS 4.0 and also used by 16-bit OS/2 and Windows. This format is 16-bit.
- Template:AnchorLinear Executable
- The Linear Executable (LE) format is mixed 16/32-bit and was introduced with OS/2 2.0. VxD drivers on Windows 3.x and Windows 9x also use this format. A 32-bit only version identified as LX was also introduced with OS/2 2.0 and runs on OS/2 2.0 and higher.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Template:AnchorPortable Executable
- Introduced with Windows NT, the Portable Executable (PE) format is a fat binary consisting of both a DOS and a Windows part. The DOS stub is runnable on a DOS system but is ignored by Windows. The Microsoft C++ linker, by default, adds a small DOS program that prints the message: "This program cannot be run in DOS mode" and exits.<ref name="PE Format" /><ref name="/STUB" /><ref name="DOS Stub" /> Windows ignores the DOS stub and executes the 32-bit Windows-specific portion.<ref name="PE Format" /> With some linkers, it is possible to specify a custom DOS stub.<ref name="PE Format" /><ref name="/STUB" /><ref name="dosStub.exe" /> Indeed, there are a few dual programs, such as regedit in Windows 95<ref name="regedit in real mode" /> and old versions of WinZIP self extractors. A 64-bit version, PE32+, was introduced with 64-bit versions of Windows. In most cases, code can be written to simply work as either a 32 or 64-bit PE file.<ref name="PE32plus" /> This format also includes a DOS stub.<ref name="dosStub.exe" />
- Other
- Template:AnchorThere are other EXE formats, including but not limited to 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 by Phar Lap extenders).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
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