The most common and effective way to open an .exe file in Microsoft Windows is to double-click it. This method works with any version of Windows from Windows 95 onwards, as well as Windows NT, ME, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
1. Find the .exe file you want to open. In most cases, this will be located in the Windows folder on your hard drive, or in a subfolder therein.
2. Double-click the .exe file. Doing so should launch the application or program associated with the .exe file. If nothing happens when you double-click the .exe file, you might need to install the correct software to open it.
3. Wait for the application or program to launch. Depending on the size and complexity of the program, this may take several seconds to complete.
4. Follow any prompts provided by the program or application. The prompts may ask you to provide additional information or confirm certain settings before the program is fully launched.
5. Close the application or program when you’re done using it. To do so, click the “X” in the top-right corner of the program’s window. Alternatively, you may need to select an “Exit” or “Quit” option in the File menu (e.g., clicking File and then Exit).
If you’re unable to open an .exe file by double-clicking it, try right-clicking the file and then selecting Open. Doing so should prompt the application now associated with the .exe file to open it. The same is true if you’re trying to open an .exe file from a different folder than the one containing it—right-clicking the .exe file and then selecting Open should cause the associated program to open it.
In some cases, you may not be able to open an .exe file at all. This usually happens because Windows isn’t sure what application or program should be used to open the file. To fix this problem, you’ll need to associate a particular program with the .exe file.
1. Right-click the .exe file you want to open. Doing so will prompt a drop-down menu.
2. Click Open With. It’s near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
3. Click Choose Another App. This option is in the middle of the Open With window.
4. Select a program. Scroll down through the list of programs and click the one you want to use to open the .exe file.
5. Check the “Always use this app to open .exe files” box. Doing so ensures that any .exe file you open will automatically launch the program you just selected.
6. Click OK. It’s at the bottom of the window. The .exe file will now open in the program you selected.