Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How can I open exe. files?

T

tncdel

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 9, 2009
11
0
Whenever I get an exe. file I've been just deleting them, because my computer [a G4 PowerPC with OS X 10.4.11 Tiger] can't open such files.

For example, on a movie download site, a free torrent downloader was offered, and it said for PC or Mac. Yet whenafter I downloaded it to my desktop, I found an exe. file. And such files are of no use to me, since my computer can't open them with QuickTime Player or anything else it has.

Please tell me how to open exe. files, or how to convert them to something else that my computer can open.

Thanks in advance.
 
.exe files are Windows executables. They will not run on Mac OS X and they can't be "converted" to anything that will run on Mac OS X. Many times, such .exe files are Windows trojans or viruses, so Windows users should be careful what they download and execute.
 
Be thankful you can't, as you probably would've got a virus for downloading random crap on a Windows computer. .exe only run in Windows.
 
that's what I figured

That's what I figured too. But what puzzled me was why the site said that the torrent download program could be used on Mac too. Wonder what they were thinking. Check this out to see what I mean please [thank you]:
 
P.s.

I went back and found that I had clicked on the wrong side of the download link. But that the right side is for Mac. But NOT FOR MINE. Only OS X 10.5 Intel. I'm using 10.4.11 Tiger. So it's no good to me.

Thanks for reclarifying about exe. files. Was hoping that they could be converted. Someone told me that there is software that can convert exe. and windows media files to mpg.s or other type that can run on my computer.

If not, then I'll have to wait till I can afford a new Mac that can run PC programs.
 
tncdel said:
I went back and found that I had clicked on the wrong side of the download link. But that the right side is for Mac. But NOT FOR MINE. Only OS X 10.5 Intel. I'm using 10.4.11 Tiger. So it's no good to me.

Thanks for reclarifying about exe. files. Was hoping that they could be converted. Someone told me that there is software that can convert exe. and windows media files to mpg.s or other type that can run on my computer.

If not, then I'll have to wait till I can afford a new Mac that can run PC programs.
Click to expand...

Even an Intel Mac with Leopard can't run PC programs (.exe files). The only way to run any .exe on a Mac is by either launching Windows through Boot Camp, or running Windows virtualization through VMware Fusion or Parallels or something similar. Native Mac OS X does not run .exe files, and they can't be converted to anything that would run on Mac OS X.
 
tncdel said:
I went back and found that I had clicked on the wrong side of the download link. But that the right side is for Mac. But NOT FOR MINE. Only OS X 10.5 Intel. I'm using 10.4.11 Tiger. So it's no good to me.

Thanks for reclarifying about exe. files. Was hoping that they could be converted. Someone told me that there is software that can convert exe. and windows media files to mpg.s or other type that can run on my computer.

If not, then I'll have to wait till I can afford a new Mac that can run PC programs.
Click to expand...

There are plenty of applications out there that can convert Windows MEDIA files, such as .wma and .wmv
Also, there is no such thing as a "mpg.s"
There is NOTHING, I repeat, NOTHING, that will "convert" the executables for Windows to the "Mac equivalent". They are completely different operating environments. There are ways to run .exe files as mentioned before, but nothing like what you are talking.

If you are waiting for a Mac that can "run PC programs" like you are saying, and the only reason you are giving is because "For example, on a movie download site, a free torrent downloader was offered..." then it is obvious you have more dollars than sense. There are PLENTY of free torrent applications for your Mac. (try Transmission, to name just one) And if you automatically click on whatever a shady sight like that offers you, perhaps it is good that you have a Mac because if you had done that in PC land you would be in spyware, trojan, virus, and malware hell right now. Look before you leap man!
 
There is a way to get .exe files to run, but it envolves extra software. I personally use CrossOver for Mac Professional to run all of my Windows executables, this shouldnt require a Windows liscence (although its helpful and not every executable will run)
 
tncdel said:
I went back and found that I had clicked on the wrong side of the download link. But that the right side is for Mac. But NOT FOR MINE. Only OS X 10.5 Intel. I'm using 10.4.11 Tiger. So it's no good to me.
Click to expand...

I don't know where you have been in the last weeks, but the news is: There are no viruses for Macs, but there are Trojans - people download some software that claims to to something, but in reality attacks your computer. All it needs is a stupid user who downloads the software and tells the operating system TWICE that he wants to run software downloaded from a random website, particularly some dodgy website offering porn or illegal software/music/video downloads.

Now compare this with your situation.
 
You all forget CrossOver... it will directly run .exe files after double-click. It's another question if it will really work, becuase some Windows appz don't want to run this way.
 
opeter said:
You all forget CrossOver... it will directly run .exe files after double-click. It's another question if it will really work, becuase some Windows appz don't want to run this way.
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone is forgetting about CrossOver really-- but the OP does not have an Intel Mac as CrossOver requires so it is worthless to him/her.
 
video files

I tried using the above file converter trying to convert a windows media file to an mpg.mpeg file, but it didn't work. Apparently, if it does anything, it only converts audio files, not video files.

Anyone know a converter to convert windows media files videos to mpg.mpeg files?
 
tncdel said:
I tried using the above file converter trying to convert a windows media file to an mpg.mpeg file, but it didn't work. Apparently, if it does anything, it only converts audio files, not video files.
Click to expand...
Yeah, kinda said so right in the description:
A sound file converter for Mac. It can convert audio files from many sources into mp3 or wav format.
Click to expand...
 
tncdel said:
I tried using the above file converter trying to convert a windows media file to an mpg.mpeg file, but it didn't work. Apparently, if it does anything, it only converts audio files, not video files.

Anyone know a converter to convert windows media files videos to mpg.mpeg files?
Click to expand...

You don't need to convert WMV files - install flip4mac.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back