BTW, if they're displaying as executables instead of just unknown type files, and you know they're documents, they have the execute permission wrongly set.
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Opening exec files in OS X
- Thread starter edcollalo52
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For EFF sakes... I sometimes ask to my self if the people typing answers just reply because they have nothing else to do with their lifes...
WHATEVER FILE YOU HAVE CREATED UNDER A WINDOWS INVIROMENT OR UNDER OS 8 AND "SOMETIMES" UNDER OS 9, SYSTEM X will not recognize it and will mark it as WINDOWS. That doesn't mean the file is an EXEC of WIN. You only need to REOPEN THE FILE on the software you have created it. For example if you are SURE that you created a WORD FILE go and drag the file into MAC WORD and it will open. Re-save it and DONE DEAL!
Please remember (or be aware if you are NEW MAC USERS) that back in time MAC SYSTEM didn't need the EXTENSION (as in windows or as in the new systems) to recognize what kind of file and what software to use to open it.
This problem turned bigger with the amazing introduction of INTEL CRAP into the macs!
Just try to open the file with the same software (of course it will be a new version of it) or if you do not see the extension add it manually. (Ex. If it's a pict. add .jpg after the name)....
WHATEVER FILE YOU HAVE CREATED UNDER A WINDOWS INVIROMENT OR UNDER OS 8 AND "SOMETIMES" UNDER OS 9, SYSTEM X will not recognize it and will mark it as WINDOWS. That doesn't mean the file is an EXEC of WIN. You only need to REOPEN THE FILE on the software you have created it. For example if you are SURE that you created a WORD FILE go and drag the file into MAC WORD and it will open. Re-save it and DONE DEAL!
Please remember (or be aware if you are NEW MAC USERS) that back in time MAC SYSTEM didn't need the EXTENSION (as in windows or as in the new systems) to recognize what kind of file and what software to use to open it.
This problem turned bigger with the amazing introduction of INTEL CRAP into the macs!
Just try to open the file with the same software (of course it will be a new version of it) or if you do not see the extension add it manually. (Ex. If it's a pict. add .jpg after the name)....
1) You do realize this thread is about 9 months old?
2) Did you even *read* the responses in the thread?
3) There's no need to be rude about it.
2) Did you even *read* the responses in the thread?
3) There's no need to be rude about it.
gauchogolfer
macrumors 603
phatqao
macrumors member
at the terminal, type
Code:
cat <filepath>to look at what the file has in it, and then type the filepath to run it (if you dare!)
GGJstudios
macrumors Westmere
Read the age of the thread (if you dare!) The OP hasn't been on this site for 2 years, so they're not going to see anything you post. 🙄
Here's how I do it!!
If the EXEC file is on a back-up CD or other media, drag it onto your hard drive. If it's on your hard drive already, option-drag to make a copy. Now add the proper suffix to the file if you know it. I often lose Quark documents to the EXEC realm after they've been stored for a long time, so in my case I add .qxp to the end of the name. (Notice how EXEC docs never have the suffix on them? But other files just as old WITH suffixes such as .pdf seem to survive?)
Now, once you've added the suffix to your file and told your Mac that you are sure you wanted to do this, you will probably be able to open them just fine.
If you guess the suffix wrong, I think you can just try again, till you get it right.
I hope this helps everyone.
OH and by the way, if you have folders that you KNOW darn well have files in them, but your Mac says they're empty -- same situation. Drag it onto your hard drive first -- then you'll see it suddenly start copying all those files you were missing. You'll have to do the same for any sub-folders that appear to be "empty" too. Since they're already on your hard drive, just option drag to make a copy first and open the copy to view all your files.
If the EXEC file is on a back-up CD or other media, drag it onto your hard drive. If it's on your hard drive already, option-drag to make a copy. Now add the proper suffix to the file if you know it. I often lose Quark documents to the EXEC realm after they've been stored for a long time, so in my case I add .qxp to the end of the name. (Notice how EXEC docs never have the suffix on them? But other files just as old WITH suffixes such as .pdf seem to survive?)
Now, once you've added the suffix to your file and told your Mac that you are sure you wanted to do this, you will probably be able to open them just fine.
If you guess the suffix wrong, I think you can just try again, till you get it right.
I hope this helps everyone.
OH and by the way, if you have folders that you KNOW darn well have files in them, but your Mac says they're empty -- same situation. Drag it onto your hard drive first -- then you'll see it suddenly start copying all those files you were missing. You'll have to do the same for any sub-folders that appear to be "empty" too. Since they're already on your hard drive, just option drag to make a copy first and open the copy to view all your files.
I had the same thing happen with not being able to open old files with the grey squares and EXEC written in green. I added .pdf to the end of the file name and then it opened in Word! I was able to edit, etc.
Michael Leigh
macrumors newbie
I have those exec files also from when I had windows.....most were photos.....I didn't change them, somehow they changed after i moved all my files to my iMac......at least as far as I can tell.
Although this thread is over 10 years old, the problem still exists. I solved the problem, however. In case anyone has this problem and finds this thread, the following will help: When using Word for Mac, if you move files from different locations, especially to Dropbox or other locations, it's possible that Word will no longer recognize the Word file. Therefore, you will see the word, EXEC, just as the reader above experienced. To solve the problem, and it's very easy, just type in the extension, .DOC. In other words, rename the file by adding .DOC at the end, and most likely, the word document will open.
It sure worked for me. I used to throw the "exec" files away, until I figured it out, thanks to some of the clues other readers gave me (below). Hopefully, this is the last word on the subject. By the way, TIME REALLY FLIES!