crazy machines the wacky contraptions [Archive]

Anonymous Freak

Dec 21, 2006, 09:28 PM

Just one more question maybe a silly one but
is the a programme or a way to convert exe files to mac instead of basically installing windows?
thanks

Um.... no.

An exe file is a Windows executable. AKA "a program". There is no way to convert an exe file into a Mac program.

There are three ways to run an .exe file on a Mac:

1. Run virtualization software. This creates a 'virtual machine' inside the Mac OS that pretends it is a PC. You then install a copy of Windows in this virtual machine. The one making the biggest news currently is called 'Parallels (http://www.parallels.com)', and runs on Intel Macs. This requires purchase of both Parallels and Windows. If you have a PowerPC Mac, you can run Microsoft's 'Virtual PC (http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx?pid=virtualpc)', which comes with a copy of Windows, in most cases. If you have a PowerPC Mac, this is your only method.

2. Boot Camp (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp): Using Apple's beta 'Boot Camp' software, you install a full copy of Windows XP onto your Mac, essentially turning your Mac into a PC. You have to buy a full copy of Windows, and install it on your Mac. This only works on Intel Macs.

3. Crossover Mac (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/): There is also a piece of software that instead of emulating the entire hardware setup of a PC, emulates just the software interface that is Windows. This has the benefit that because it is emulating WINDOWS, you don't have to buy a copy of Windows. It also suffers from incompatibilities. (Microsoft is famous for not documenting Windows' core very well, making it VERY hard for third-party companies to reverse engineer it.) So not all software runs on it, but if your software DOES run on it, it's the cheapest solution.