Free Software To Open Exe Files On Mac

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Jun 12, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions

Mac’s impressive library of apps gives you everything you need but let’s face it: Windows has a far larger library.

Open All Files 1.0.6 for Mac can be downloaded from our website for free. Our built-in antivirus checked this Mac download and rated it as virus free. The application lies within System Tools, more precisely File Managers. The actual developer of this free Mac application is Karel Petrovic. Hi Summer.EXE files are designed for Microsoft users but nowadays you can open them on your Mac using file juicer. It is not for running the.EXE files but it extracts the contents inside the EXE files; like images, games or animations, compressed files like.ZIP or.RAR and also of many other formats.

Haven’t you ever come across software native to Windows which endear themselves to you? But since they all come with the EXE file extension, your Mac is incapable of running them. Well, there are workarounds to this problem and you’ll learn about them today.

It’s possible to safely open and run EXE files on your Mac using mediums like Boot Camp, Remote Desktop, CrossOver, Virtual Machine and WINE, to mention the most prominent ones. And you don’t need to be an expert to do this. As long as you can follow simple instructions, you’re all set.

Part 1: Can You Run an EXE File on a Mac?

Yes, you can. With how innovative and creative developers have become, it was only a matter of time before they devised a means to run EXE files on Mac, even though such files are incompatible with macOS.

What’s an EXE file, though? It’s a file extension that denotes an executable file format. Okay, but what’s an executable file? It’s any file capable of being executed as a program. To put it simply, it’s what makes the installation and running of software possible.

EXE files are used in a few operating systems, the most notable of them being Microsoft Windows. You can think of EXE files as the Windows version of APP files (APP files, if you’re unaware, are executable files under macOS).

Go further and learn how to fix MS Word not responding on Mac.

Running EXE files on Mac is very possible but only through backdoor means, so to speak. You need an emulator (WINE is by far the most popular), or you install a virtual machine software on your macOS to enable you to load Windows VM, or make an extra partition on your disk where you can simultaneously have both macOS and Windows in your Mac.

Part 2: How to Open EXE Files on Mac

Again, you have several options to choose from when attempting this. So many software out there can help you open EXE files on Mac. You are advised to go with the Parallel Desktop.

Parallel Desktop

This software is simplistic and won’t take up much on your time because it doesn’t even require a Mac restart anytime you wish to run a Windows application. A copy of Microsoft Windows is required though. You have to install it on your hard disk but it’s easy to do:

Step 1: Windows Installation

  • Open up your Mac’s Application folder and double-click on the “Parallels” icon (you have to do this to install Windows).
  • Click on “File.”
  • Click on “New.”
  • Click on “Install Windows or another OS from DVD or image file.”
  • Click on “Continue.” You can easily install Windows either from a DVD or the more popular .iso disc image; or even a bootable USB drive.
  • You can even switch to the manual mode, locate the source for the Windows installation, and choose it by clicking on “Select a file…”
  • Click on “Continue”. You will be taken to a Windows product key window.
  • Leave the “Express installation” as it is, input the key and click “Continue.”
  • You will be asked to select how you wish to use Windows: Whether for productivity, games only, software development, design, etc. Once you’re done selecting, click on “Continue.”
  • Type in a name for the virtual machine and select the directory or location for the Parallels Desktop.
  • Click on “Continue” and the Windows installation will commence. All Intel-based Macs are compatible with both 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows: From Windows XP to Windows 10.
  • Once the installation concludes you can open up Windows by clicking on the “Power” button in the list of the Parallels Virtual Machine.

Step 2: Using Parallels Desktop

  • The very first time Windows restarts, “Parallels Tools” will be installed. This will be what ultimately integrates your Mac with your Windows desktops. After the installation is done, you will be asked to restart Windows.
  • Open up your Parallels Desktop from “Spotlight.’
  • Click on “Virtual Machine.”
  • Select “Configure” in the drop-down menu which appears.
  • Click on “Options.”
  • Click on “Shared Folders.”
  • Click on “Add.”
  • Click on “Choose.” Doing this will add a location from your Mac’s desktop to the virtual machine. Simply put any EXE file in this location to enable Windows to access and install them

Part 3: How to Run Windows APPs on Mac

The question now is not whether you want to run EXE files on your Mac, but rather how to go about it conveniently. There are countless of great Windows apps that never made it to macOS, and they probably never will. A lot of them have very attractive features that make Windows the envy of all Mac owners.

Running EXE files on Mac is made easy and convenient via Boot Camp and Remote Desktop. You can use any. It depends on preference and what you find more convenient.

Boot Camp

This application makes it possible for you to install Windows on your Mac. Switching between macOS and Windows thus becomes a matter of you restarting your system and deciding which OS to log into.

Step 1: Windows Installation File

  • Boot Camp is compatible with Windows 8,8.1. and 10 (you will need an ISO file of any of these three releases).

Step 2: Launch Your Mac’s Utilities folder

  • Type in “Utilities” in your Mac’s search bar, then click it.

Step 3: Launch Boot Camp Assistant

  • The app’s icon looks like a grey hard drive. Click it.

Step 4: On-screen Instructions

  • You will be instructed to choose the Windows ISO, the drive you intend to install it on, and restart your Mac.

Step 5: Your Mac Will Restart

  • Once you’re done setting up Boot Camp, you will be asked to restart Mac.
  • After that, you will be taken to the Windows installer screen.

Step 6: Install Windows

  • Follow the instructions to install the version of Windows you chose.

Step 7: Startup Manager

  • Once the install has been completed, your system will restart. Press and hold the “Option” key while this happens and the “Startup Manager” will appear.
  • Let go of the “Option” key and you will see all the drives you can boot your Mac from.

Step 8: Boot Camp

  • Select “Boot Camp” and click on “Return”.
  • Your Mac will now be loaded into Windows.
  • Navigate to your EXE file and run it.

Remote Desktop

This free tool does what many others fail at: lets you take full advantage of your Windows apps from your Mac. That’s pretty convenient, don’t you agree? Even though you’ll need Mac and PC to use the Remote Desktop, it’s still a great software that deserves praise. Here’s how you use it:

Free Software To Open Exe Files On Mac

Step 1: Get Your PC Ready

  • Open the start menu and navigate to “Settings”, then “System”, then “Remote Desktop.”
  • Turn “Enable Remote Desktop” on and “Confirm.”

Step 2: Know Your IP Address & PC Name

  • Still on the “Remote Desktop” menu, and below the “How to connect to this PC”, jot down your PC name.
  • Go to your “Settings’, then “Network & Internet”.
  • Click “Wi-Fi” and select the network you’re connected to. This will bring up the network connection properties screen. At the bottom of the page is your “IPv4 address”. Jot it down.

Step 3: Install the Mac Version of Microsoft Remote Desktop

  • Pick up your Mac and open up your Mac App Store, then search for “Microsoft Remote Desktop.”
  • Download and install it.

Step 4: Open Add Your PC to Remote Desktop

  • Open up Remote Desktop on your Mac.
  • Click on “Add Desktop.”
  • A dialogue box will pop up. Type in the PC Name you jotted down; if it doesn’t work, type in the IP address.
  • Click “Save”.

Step 5: You Can Now Connect

  • Keep your PC turned on and make sure it is connected to the network your Mac is connected to.
  • Remote Desktop will now show your computer below “Saved Desktops.”
  • Double-click on it to connect.
  • You will be required to enter your username and password.
  • Click “OK.”
  • A security warning will pop up. Since you’re on a private network, ignore the warning and click “Continue.”
  • That’s the last step. You can now view and use your Windows on your Mac via Remote Desktop.

Closing Words

Well, there you have it. Running your EXE files via your Mac is now a thing of the past. As long as you have the right tools, you can do it in a matter of minutes.

Free Software To Open Exe Files On Mac Laptop

These tools make your Mac more versatile than even Apple intended and anticipated because they enable you to go beyond what your Mac is capable of doing. You can achieve an end goal that would have otherwise been impossible. That’s the power of a Mac for you.

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Exe files are Windows executable files designed for Window users. So apple user can’t run these files on their mac. However there are ways which enable apple user to run these exe files on Mac.

If you are one of those Mac user which is looking for different methods of running exe files on your Mac then you are right place. This article will teach you two important methods on How to run Windows executable (Exe) files on Mac without Windows.

How To Open Exe File On Mac

Contents

  • 1 How to Run EXE Files on Mac

How to Run EXE Files on Mac

There are ideally 2 methods to run EXE files on Macbook. You can Run EXE on Mac either using WINE software using boot camp feature of your mac. Wine is a software which can be downloaded and installed for free.

These two methods are little lengthy and complicated therefore all the steps must be followed with properly and carefully.

1. Run EXE on Macbook using WINE software

One of the popular method to run exe files on your Mac is to install WINE software which can be downloaded for free. Follow these steps to use WINE for running Exe files on your Mac.

  1. The first step is to download the WINE software from its the official website winebottler.
  2. Go to winebottler website – http://winebottler.kronenberg.org/
  3. Now on its website you will see the option of winebottler 1.8 rc4 development in the middle of the page with green arrow pointing downwards.
  4. Now pop up will appear seeking your permission for downloading the said program. Click on download and continue.
  5. Now you will be taken to advertising screen. You can skip that ad by clicking on skip ad on the top right corner of your screen. If the skip ad option is not there then wait for sometime tell it appears
  6. After skipping add your download will begin.
  7. If download doesn’t begin in sometime then click again on winbottler 1.8 rc4 development option to retry.
  8. Next step is to install the software. For that double click on winebottler file.
  9. After that press on icons of both winebottler and wine and drag them into application folder.
  10. Now look a exe file and right click on it to open drop-down menu.
  11. In drop-down menu you will see the option of open with click on that.
  12. Now another popup menu will appear where you can see wine with its icon.
  13. Click on that wine to open your exe files.
  14. Now another menu asking to run directly in will appear. Make sure run directly option is clicked on if not then press on the circle adjacent to it.
  15. After then press Go on that menu and you are done.

Free Software To Open Exe Files On Mac Windows 10

If your exe file supports wine then it will start loading. However sometimes programs and files do not support wine and thus your exe files won’t run using wine. In that case you have to look to the next method which involves boot camp feature of Mac to Run Exe files on Macbook.

2. Open EXE Files on Macbook using boot camp

Another method of running exe files on your Mac is using bootcamp. Follow below steps carefully to implement this method for making sure exe files open on your Mac.

  1. The first step is to download ISO file from microsoft.com
  2. Once ISO file is downloaded then search for utilities in the top right corner of your Mac screen by clicking on the magnifying glass icon.
  3. Now click and open utilities folder.
  4. Under utilities folder you will see boot camp assistant Icon double click on that.
  5. Now an introduction menu will appear please continue to proceed further.
  6. Now the process of setting up your boot camp settings will begin.
  7. Once the above process is completed wait for your Mac to reboot.
  8. On rebooting your Mac will ask to select the system to open your computer with.
  9. Click on bootcamp Windows before starting your system.
  10. Now instruction regarding Windows setup will appear. Click on accept to continue and install the windows setup.
  11. After doing that your Mac will load into Windows operating system.
  12. Now locate your exe files and double click on it.
  13. Since you are using Windows operating system your exe files will now open and run smoothly.

This bootcamp method of running exe files on your Mac is quite technical and lengthy thus sometimes you may require professionals help and advice before adopting this method because a small mistake while applying this method may cause problems to your Mac.

What Application To Open Exe Files On Mac

Conclusion

Free Software To Open Exe Files On Mac Without Wine

If you are one of mac users who is unable to open or run Microsoft executable files that is exe files on your Mac then these two methods can help you to open those exe files on your Mac.

First method of downloading wine software is quite popular and simple which may help you to overcome your problem. However in some cases first method does not help that much therefore you can look for a second method of boot camp assistant.

Mac App To Open Exe Files

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