An EXE file is an executable file usually used by Windows computers to run or install an application. For instance, whenever you open an application, say a Chrome browser, what you’re doing is opening the executable file i.e.,chrome.exeof that application.
There are several ways you can go about opening an executable file. You can open an EXE file like you open any other normal file. Besides that, you can also open executable files from Command Prompt and PowerShell.
From File Manager
The easiest way to open an EXE file is by double-clicking it. You can simply navigate to the EXE file location inFile Explorer(Windows + E), and double-click it to open the file. You can also right-click the file and selectOpen, or select the file and pressEnterto open it.
In fact, as long as you may access the executable file, you can open it from just about anywhere. All of your EXE files should also be listed in theStart menu > All Apps, and you can simply select your application there to run its EXE file.
From Taskbar
You can also access your executable files from the search option in the taskbar. All you need to do is enter the name of the file you want to open in thesearch boxand simply click on the search result that pops up. Alternatively, you can also pressEnter.
From Command Prompt
Another way you can open your EXE files is from the Command Prompt. While the Command Prompt being a command-line interface does make it a bit harder to navigate, this method can come in handy especially if your executable files are refusing to open the normal way.
Alternatively, you can also enter the file location with the target EXE filename to directly open it. For example, entering"C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe”will directly open the Chrome browser.
From PowerShell
you’re able to alsoopen EXE files from PowerShell. It is a command-line interface just like Command Prompt, but it is also a scripting language. So, if you need to open any EXE files in your PowerShell scripts, or to just normally open EXE files, you can use the method below.
Additionally, you can also open EXE files by entering the file location plus EXE filename in the Run Utility, File Explorer’s address bar, or Task Manager’sFile > Run new task.
For example,“C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe”
You can also enter only the EXE filename in all three of them to directly open that executable file.
For example,chrome.exe.
EXE File Not Opening?
In some cases, your EXE file may not respond at all when trying to open it or show an error message while doing so. This is usually due to corrupted registry settings hindering your executable files from running properly. To fix this kind of issue, you can try editing your Registry.
