The original DOS executable file format. These formats can be identified by the letters "MZ" at the beginning of the file in ASCII. All later formats have an MZ DOS stub header.[citation needed]
Introduced with the multitasking MS-DOS 4.0 and also used by 16-bit OS/2 and Windows, NE can be identified by the "NE" in ASCII.
OS/2
32-bit Linear Executable (LX)
Introduced with OS/2 2.0, these can be identified by the "LX" in ASCII. These can only be run by OS/2 2.0 and higher.[2] Some DOS extenders[which?] also use this format.
Mixed 16/32-bit Linear Executable (LE)
Introduced with OS/2 2.0, these can be identified by the "LE" in ASCII. VxD drivers on Windows 3.x, OS/2, and Windows 9x, as well as some DOS extenders[which?] use this format.
Introduced with Windows NT, they are fat binaries consisting of a DOS-specific and a Windows-specific part. The DOS-specific part (dubbed DOS stub) is a legitimate 16-bit DOS program. Microsoft C++ linker, by default, uses a minimal DOS stub that prints the following message: "This program cannot be run in DOS mode."[3][4][5] Windows ignores the DOS stub and executes the Windows-specific portion that starts with the "PE\0\0" ASCII sequence (letters "PE" and two null bytes).[3] It is possible to link other, more function DOS stubs.[3][4][6] Indeed, there are a few such dual programs, such as regedit in Windows 95[7] and old versions of WinZIP self extractors.
64-bit Portable Executable (PE32+)
Introduced by 64-bit versions of Windows, this is a PE file with wider fields. In most cases, code can be written to simply work as either a 32 or 64-bit PE file.[8] This file also includes a DOS stub.[6]
Other
There are other EXE formats, including but not limited to W3 (a collection of LE files, only used in WIN386.EXE), W4 (a compressed collection of LE files, only used in VMM32.VXD), DL, MP, P2, P3 (last three used by Phar Lap extenders).[9]
^"OS/2 Operating System". operating system documentation project. 2004-04-03. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
^ abc"PE Format". Windows App Development. Microsoft. 2019-08-25.
^ ab"/STUB (MS-DOS Stub File Name)". C/C++ Building Reference (Visual Studio 2022 ed.). Microsoft. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
^Sedory, Daniel B. (2004-10-12). "DOS Stub Program". The Starman's Realm. Self-published. Retrieved 2014-01-10.
^ abEllermann, Frank (2014-01-22). "dostub.exe". Purl.net. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
^. Support. Microsoft. 2006-11-15. Archived from the original on 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2014-01-10. Windows 95 includes a Registry Editor program (Regedit.exe) that runs in both the real-mode MS-DOS environment and in the protected-mode Windows environment. When you need to modify the registry without starting Windows 95, use Registry Editor in real mode. Note that the switches listed in this article only work in real-mode.
Paul, Matthias R. (2002-10-07) [2000]. "Re: Run a COM file". Newsgroup: alt.msdos.programmer. Archived from the original on 2017-09-03. Retrieved 2017-09-03. [1]
External links
Dependency Walker
MZ EXE header format
PE Explorer
March 26, 2023
redirects, here, other, uses, common, filename, extension, denoting, executable, file, main, execution, point, computer, program, microsoft, windows, windows, executable, filefilename, extensioninternet, media, typeapplication, microsoft, portable, executablem. EXE redirects here For other uses see Exe exe is a common filename extension denoting an executable file the main execution point of a computer program for Microsoft Windows OS 2 and DOS 1 Windows Executable FileFilename extension exeInternet media typeapplication vnd microsoft portable executableMagic number0x4d 0x5aDeveloped byMicrosoftType of formatExecutable fileContainer forMZ NE LX LE PE PE32 W3 W4 DL MP P2 P3Open format No Contents 1 File formats 1 1 DOS 1 2 OS 2 1 3 Windows 1 4 Other 2 See also 3 References 4 Further reading 5 External linksFile formats EditThere are numerous file formats which may be used by a file with a exe extension DOS Edit 16 bit DOS MZ executable MZ The original DOS executable file format These formats can be identified by the letters MZ at the beginning of the file in ASCII All later formats have an MZ DOS stub header citation needed 16 bit New Executable NE Introduced with the multitasking MS DOS 4 0 and also used by 16 bit OS 2 and Windows NE can be identified by the NE in ASCII OS 2 Edit 32 bit Linear Executable LX Introduced with OS 2 2 0 these can be identified by the LX in ASCII These can only be run by OS 2 2 0 and higher 2 Some DOS extenders which also use this format Mixed 16 32 bit Linear Executable LE Introduced with OS 2 2 0 these can be identified by the LE in ASCII VxD drivers on Windows 3 x OS 2 and Windows 9x as well as some DOS extenders which use this format Windows Edit 32 bit Portable Executable PE Introduced with Windows NT they are fat binaries consisting of a DOS specific and a Windows specific part The DOS specific part dubbed DOS stub is a legitimate 16 bit DOS program Microsoft C linker by default uses a minimal DOS stub that prints the following message This program cannot be run in DOS mode 3 4 5 Windows ignores the DOS stub and executes the Windows specific portion that starts with the PE 0 0 ASCII sequence letters PE and two null bytes 3 It is possible to link other more function DOS stubs 3 4 6 Indeed there are a few such dual programs such as regedit in Windows 95 7 and old versions of WinZIP self extractors 64 bit Portable Executable PE32 Introduced by 64 bit versions of Windows this is a PE file with wider fields In most cases code can be written to simply work as either a 32 or 64 bit PE file 8 This file also includes a DOS stub 6 Other Edit There are other EXE formats including but not limited to W3 a collection of LE files only used in WIN386 EXE W4 a compressed collection of LE files only used in VMM32 VXD DL MP P2 P3 last three used by Phar Lap extenders 9 See also EditComparison of executable file formats Executable compression IExpress List of file formats Object code executable files shared and dynamically linked libraries CMD file CP M Windows Installer files msi References Edit EXE File Extension FileInfo The File Extensions Database Sharpened Productions Retrieved 2019 08 16 OS 2 Operating System operating system documentation project 2004 04 03 Retrieved 2014 02 13 a b c PE Format Windows App Development Microsoft 2019 08 25 a b STUB MS DOS Stub File Name C C Building Reference Visual Studio 2022 ed Microsoft Retrieved 2014 01 10 Sedory Daniel B 2004 10 12 DOS Stub Program The Starman s Realm Self published Retrieved 2014 01 10 a b Ellermann Frank 2014 01 22 dostub exe Purl net Retrieved 2014 01 24 Using Registry Editor in Real Mode Support Microsoft 2006 11 15 Archived from the original on 2014 01 15 Retrieved 2014 01 10 Windows 95 includes a Registry Editor program Regedit exe that runs in both the real mode MS DOS environment and in the protected mode Windows environment When you need to modify the registry without starting Windows 95 use Registry Editor in real mode Note that the switches listed in this article only work in real mode Pietrek Matt February 2002 An In Depth Look into the Win32 Portable Executable File Format MSDN Magazine Microsoft Brown Ralf 2000 07 16 Int 21 AH 4Bh Ralf Brown s Interrupt List Retrieved 2018 10 30 Further reading EditPaul Matthias R 2002 10 07 2000 Re Run a COM file Newsgroup alt msdos programmer Archived from the original on 2017 09 03 Retrieved 2017 09 03 1 External links EditDependency Walker MZ EXE header format PE Explorer Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title exe amp oldid 1143629942 LX, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
