EXE
Technology & Computing abbreviation · File Format
| Stands for | Executable file |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
EXE stands for Executable file, a file format abbreviation.
Windows program file that runs when opened, used for applications, games and installers. Because running an EXE executes code with the user's permissions, unknown EXE files are a common way to spread malware.
Example: Never open an EXE attachment from an email you weren't expecting.
Usage notes
Windows executables use the Portable Executable (PE) format, introduced with Windows NT 3.1 in 1993; every one still begins with the letters "MZ", the initials of Microsoft engineer Mark Zbikowski, from the MS-DOS era. Attackers disguise malware with double extensions such as "invoice.pdf.exe", which looks harmless when Windows hides known extensions. Macs and Linux do not run EXE files natively.
Related abbreviations
More file format abbreviations
- DOCX – Office Open XML Word document
- DWG – Drawing
- DXF – Drawing Exchange Format
- EML – Email message file
- EPS – Encapsulated PostScript
- EPUB – Electronic Publication
- EXIF – Exchangeable image file format
- FBX – Filmbox
- FLAC – Free Lossless Audio Codec
- FLV – Flash Video
- GIF – Graphics Interchange Format
- glTF – GL Transmission Format