Exe File Code

  

Nov 24, 2016  In Windows there is a software named Notepad. With it you can open any exe file, or any other file for that matter, and 'read' it, as it is written to the drive it resides on. I would strongly advice against this, since any change you make may render it unusable. Jun 26, 2019  How to Open EXE Files. Computer files with an '.exe' extension are called executables, or EXE files. This type of file is one of the most ubiquitous in the Windows operating system, where it is used to install or run software applications. EXE files are also helpful for. If it is native code, you can disassemble it. But you wont see the original code as writte by the programmer. You will see the code produces by the compiler (assembler). This code is possibly optimized and although it is semantically equivalent, it can be much harder to read than normal ASM.

Active2 years, 10 months ago
  1. Nov 11, 2007  How do I look inside an.exe file to view the programming Showing 1-73 of 73 messages. How do I look inside an.exe file to view the programming: corbyguy: 11/11/07 10:57 AM. A.exe file is noyhing but a series of Hex code written in Assmbly level Language.There is a softawre 'Hex Editor'. Using this you can open the.exe file.
  2. Sep 01, 2010  The source code is stored in a text file and you can 'see' it as long as the file is in your computer. The.exe file is completely independent, in the way a blueprint is independent from the building it describes. When your IDE compiles the source files, it probably generates a.exe file somewhere. Look for it and try to run it by itself.

I've got some old Windows executable files. How can I edit them with Visual Studio 2010? What are the ways to see an exe's source code?

MPelletier
11.9k11 gold badges72 silver badges118 bronze badges
Ali PoderAli Poder
2,6676 gold badges27 silver badges49 bronze badges

7 Answers

You can't get the C++ source from an exe, and you can only get some version of the C# source via reflection. Neither will be of much use to you, judging from the way you asked the question.

Source Code From Exe

i_am_jorfi_am_jorf
45.9k13 gold badges114 silver badges208 bronze badges

If the program was written in C# you can get the source code in almost its original form using .NET Reflector. You won't be able to see comments and local variable names, but it is very readable.

If it was written C++ it's not so easy... even if you could decompile the code into valid C++ it is unlikely that it will resemble the original source because of inlined functions and optimizations which are hard to reverse.

Please note that by reverse engineering and modifying the source code you might breaking the terms of use of the programs unless you wrote them yourself or have permission from the author.

Mark ByersMark Byers
626k139 gold badges1403 silver badges1360 bronze badges

If it is native code, you can disassemble it. But you wont see the original code as writte by the programmer. You will see the code produces by the compiler (assembler). This code is possibly optimized and although it is semantically equivalent, it can be much harder to read than normal ASM.

If it is bytecode (MSIL or javabytecode), there are decompiler which can product pretty good sourcecode. For .net, this would be reflector.

HenriHenri

I would (and have) used IDA Pro to decompile executables. It creates semi-complete code, you can decompile to assembly or C.

If you have a copy of the debug symbols around, load those into IDA before decompiling and it will be able to name many of the functions, parameters, etc.

ssubessube
33.6k5 gold badges81 silver badges121 bronze badges

There's nothing you can do about it i'm afraid as you won't be able to view it in a readable format, it's pretty much intentional and it'll show the interpreted machine code, there would be no formatting or comments as you normally get in .cs/.c files.

It's pretty much a hit and miss scenario.

Someone has already asked about it on another website

Jamie KeelingJamie Keeling

Executable Code File Define

6,97612 gold badges57 silver badges95 bronze badges

Use PE Explorerclick here to know more and download

jNerdjNerd

For Any *.Exe file written in any language .You can view the source code with hiew (otherwise Hackers view). You can download it at www.hiew.ru. It will be the demo version but still can view the code.

After this follow these steps:

  1. Press alt+f2 to navigate to the file.

  2. Press enter to see its assembly / c++ code.

AravindAravind

protected by DrewNov 14 '16 at 15:42

Thank you for your interest in this question. Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged c#c++vb.netvisual-studioexecutable or ask your own question.

2 file types use the .exe file extension.
  • 1.Windows Executable File
  • 2.PortableApps.com Application

File Type 1Windows Executable File

DeveloperMicrosoft
Popularity
CategoryExecutable Files
FormatBinary

What is an EXE file?

An EXE file contains an executable program for Windows. EXE is short for 'executable,' and it is the standard file extension used by Windows programs. For many Windows users, EXE files are synonymous with Windows programs, making '.exe' one of the most recognizable file extensions.

EXE files contain binary machine code that has been compiled from source code. The machine code is saved in such a way that it can be executed directly by the computer's CPU, thereby 'running' the program. EXE files may also contain resources, such as graphics assets for the GUI, the program's icon, and other resources needed by the program.

File

On non-Windows platforms, such as macOS and Linux, EXE files are not used for executables. macOS, for example, uses .APP files to run apps. However, if you would like to run an EXE file on a non-Windows platform, you can use a virtual machine, such as Parallels Desktop or VM VirtualBox, which allows Windows to be run within a non-Windows environment.

Setup.exe - A very common name for software program installers. When opened, it starts the installation process.

Modify Exe File Code

Install.exe - Another popular name for software installers.

cmd.exe - The shell program used by Windows 2000 and later, replacing the COMMAND.COM shell.

Unknown files on your Mac? Try File Viewer.
Programs that open EXE files
Mac
Parallels Desktop for Mac with Microsoft Windows installed
VMware Fusion with Microsoft Windows installed
Oracle VM VirtualBox with Microsoft Windows installed
CodeWeavers CrossOver
Kronenberg WineBottler
Xamarin Mono
Windows
Microsoft Windows
7-Zip
WinRAR 5

Exe File Code Viewer

Linux
CodeWeavers CrossOver
Oracle VM VirtualBox with Microsoft Windows installed
Wine
Xamarin Mono
Updated 4/18/2017

File Type 2PortableApps.com Application

DeveloperRare Ideas
Popularity
CategoryExecutable Files
FormatBinary

.EXE File Association 2

Computer program that can run from a portable device such as a USB flash drive, iPod, or portable hard drive; contains user settings on the portable device, allowing the program to run the same on multiple computers.

Portable apps use the compound file extension .PAF.EXE.

.exe File Mac

Windows
Rare Ideas PortableApps.com Platform

Exe File Code Download

Updated 6/17/2008