Executable files are designed for Windows and cannot run natively in macOS. But with the right tools, Mac desktops or notebooks can open programs wrapped in EXE files. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to open EXE files on Mac without having to install Windows on your device.
Open EXE Files in macOS With CrossOver
CrossOver is one of the best PC emulation software for running Windows-based programs on Mac. We encountered no stumbling block installing this tool on our test device—a MacBook Pro 2019 running macOS Big Sur. Likewise, the Windows app we installed ran smoothly without any issues. Although CrossOver is a paid app (subscription starts at $39.95/month), there’s a 10-day free trial period for new users. So, it’s the best option if you only need to run Windows apps on your Mac for a short period. You can either install Windows programs from CrossOver’s in-app library or run EXE files downloaded from third-party sources through CrossOver. Better yet, select the Browse All Applications button in the bottom-left corner to view a list of apps available in CrossOver’s library. Select the app on the left sidebar and select Continue to move to the next step. That’ll launch the app immediately, and you’ll see its icon in your Mac’s Dock. Note that CrossOver is the host environment, so closing or force-quitting the emulator (i.e., CrossOver) will also close the Windows application you’re running.
Open EXE Files on Mac Using Wine
Wine (or WineBottler) is another popular third-party PC for Mac. It’s open-source (free), easy-to-use, and works best on Macs running macOS Mojave and High Sierra. We successfully installed Wine on our test device, but we couldn’t open any EXE file due to a “Prefix creation aborted” error. It appears that Wine isn’t fully compatible with macOS Catalina and newer macOS versions. It’s the best option if you have an old Mac notebook or desktop running macOS Mojave or High Sierra. You don’t have to pay a dime. Plus, it is incredibly easy to use. Feature-wise, WineBottler Development is superior to WineBottler Stable. It’s also usually more stable, especially because it is updated more often than the Stable edition. WineBottler has an “Automated Installer” that handles the heavy-lifting behind opening Windows-based programs on your Mac. The installer downloads the app from the internet, sets it up on your Mac and does other necessary configurations. On the WineBottler dashboard, you’ll find Windows-based programs spanning categories like web browsers, business tools, media players, games, development tools, utilities, etc. Select the app’s name to open the app’s description page. That’ll redirect you to the developer’s website in your Mac’s default browser. It’s also possible to open the EXE setup file for a Windows-based app outside WineBottler’s list. macOS may fail to run the Wine emulator because it’s from an unidentified developer. Follow the installation instructions and you’ll be able to run the Windows app on your Mac via the WineBottler environment. If Wine displays the “Prefix creation aborted” error or other error messages, use CrossOver instead. If you’re keen on using WineBottler, the only workaround is to downgrade your Mac to Mojave or High Sierra.
Bringing Windows to Mac
“Boot Camp” is a built-in utility that lets Mac users run Windows alongside macOS on Macs with Intel processors. You can also open EXE files on Mac using virtual machines like VirtualBox and Parallels Desktop. Virtual machines require a full Windows installation, so they’re ideal for Mac users who run Windows apps almost every day. Otherwise, CrossOver and Wine are your best options for running Windows apps on Mac for a brief period.
