What is EXE?

EXE (.exe) files are Windows executable programs containing compiled machine code, resources (icons, dialogs), and metadata. Modern Windows EXE files use the PE (Portable Executable) format, which includes headers, sections for code and data, import/export tables, and digital signatures.

EXE files are the standard way to distribute Windows software. They can be simple command-line tools or complex graphical applications with millions of lines of code. Most Windows applications you install are distributed as EXE files.

Did you know? The PE format used by Windows EXE files is based on the COFF format from Unix systems!

History

The EXE format has evolved from simple MS-DOS executables to complex Portable Executable files supporting modern Windows features.

Key Milestones

  • 1985: MS-DOS 2.0 introduces EXE format
  • 1993: Windows NT introduces PE format
  • 1995: Windows 95 widespread EXE adoption
  • 2001: Code signing for security
  • Present: Modern PE with ASLR, DEP protections

Key Features

Core Capabilities

  • Machine Code: Directly executable by CPU
  • Resources: Embedded icons, dialogs, strings
  • DLL Imports: Links to system libraries
  • Digital Signatures: Verify publisher identity
  • Manifests: Admin rights, compatibility
  • Version Info: Metadata about the program

Common Use Cases

Desktop Apps

Windows applications

Installers

Setup programs

CLI Tools

Command-line utilities

Games

Windows game executables

Advantages

  • Native Windows performance
  • No runtime required
  • Full system access (with permissions)
  • Standalone distribution
  • Rich resource embedding
  • Digital signature support

Disadvantages

  • Windows-only (not cross-platform)
  • Security risks (malware vector)
  • Architecture-specific (x86/x64)
  • No source code access
  • Reverse engineering target

Technical Information

Format Specifications

Specification Details
File Extension .exe
MIME Type application/vnd.microsoft.portable-executable
Format PE (Portable Executable)
Architecture x86, x64, ARM64
Platform Windows
Magic Bytes MZ (0x4D5A)

Common Tools

  • Compilers: Visual Studio, GCC (MinGW)
  • Analysis: Dependency Walker, PE Explorer
  • Signing: SignTool