An
Incomplete List of Executable File Extensions
A
file with an executable file
extension means that the file format supports
some ability to run an automatic task. This is in contrast to other file
formats that simply display data, play a sound or video, etc.
In
other words, if you open a file with one of these file extensions, your
computer could, without your continued permission, run one or more operations
programmed into that file.
Those
additional operations would be welcome and necessary if, for example, you were
to run a program setup for a free software program you just downloaded from a
trusted website.
Those
operations could be damaging if, for example, you were to run a virus-infected
executable file that you received via email from someone you don't know.
Important:
Please exercise caution before opening any executable file, especially those
received in suspicious emails or downloaded from unfamiliar websites.
Note:
This is not a complete list of executable file extensions, nor is it a
list of dangerous but non-executable file types. If you know of more executable
file formats, or believe one deserves a change in risk level, please let me
know so we can discuss it.
High
Risk
I've
rated the following executable file types as High Risk because
essentially all computers with the listed operating
system installed have the ability to carry
out the commands contained in the executable file.
In
other words, files with the extensions listed below can be executed with some
basic part of Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc. No additional program is required.
Extension
|
Format
|
Operating
System(s)
|
ACTION
|
Automator Action
|
Mac OS
|
APK
|
Application
|
Android
|
APP
|
Executable
|
Mac OS
|
BAT
|
Batch File
|
Windows
|
BIN
|
Binary Executable
|
Windows, Mac OS, Linux
|
CMD
|
Command Script
|
Windows
|
COM
|
Command File
|
Windows
|
COMMAND
|
Terminal Command
|
Mac OS
|
CPL
|
Control Panel Extension
|
Windows
|
CSH
|
C Shell Script
|
Mac OS, Linux
|
EXE
|
Executable
|
Windows
|
GADGET
|
Windows Gadget
|
Windows
|
INF1
|
Setup Information File
|
Windows
|
INS
|
Internet Communication Settings
|
Windows
|
INX
|
InstallShield Compiled Script
|
Windows
|
IPA
|
Application
|
iOS
|
ISU
|
InstallShield Uninstaller Script
|
Windows
|
JOB
|
Windows Task Scheduler Job File
|
Windows
|
JSE
|
Java Script Encoded File
|
Windows
|
KSH
|
Unix Korn Shell Script
|
Linux
|
LNK
|
File Shortcut
|
Windows
|
MSC
|
Microsoft Common Console Document
|
Windows
|
MSI
|
Windows Installer Package
|
Windows
|
MSP
|
Windows Installer Patch
|
Windows
|
MST
|
Windows Installer Setup Transform File
|
Windows
|
OSX
|
Executable
|
Mac OS
|
OUT
|
Executable
|
Linux
|
PAF
|
Portable Application Installer File
|
Windows
|
PIF
|
Program Information File
|
Windows
|
PRG
|
Executable
|
GEM
|
PS1
|
Windows PowerShell Cmdlet
|
Windows
|
REG
|
Registry Data File
|
Windows
|
RGS
|
Registry Script
|
Windows
|
RUN
|
Executable
|
Linux
|
SCT
|
Windows Scriptlet
|
Windows
|
SHB
|
Windows Document Shortcut
|
Windows
|
SHS
|
Shell Scrap Object
|
Windows
|
U3P
|
U3 Smart Application
|
Windows
|
VB
|
VBScript File
|
Windows
|
VBE
|
VBScript Encoded Script
|
Windows
|
VBS
|
VBScript File
|
Windows
|
VBSCRIPT
|
Visual Basic Script
|
Windows
|
WORKFLOW
|
Automator Workflow
|
Mac OS
|
WS
|
Windows Script
|
Windows
|
WSF
|
Windows Script
|
Windows
|
[1]
To execute an INF file, you must open the pop-up menu (usually by
right-clicking on the file) and choose Install.
Other
Executable File Extensions
The
following file extensions are only executable if you happen to have the software
installed that carries out the commands contained in the file.
If
you do have one of the programs below installed, consider files with the
associated extensions as executable and High Risk. If you don't have a
particular program installed and you try to execute a file with that extension,
either a harmless error will appear or nothing at all will happen.
Extension
|
Format
|
Program
|
0XE
|
Renamed Virus File
|
F-Secure Internet Security
|
73K
|
TI-73 Application
|
TI Connect
|
89K
|
TI-89 Application
|
TI Connect
|
A6P
|
Authorware 6 Program File
|
Adobe Authorware
|
AC
|
GNU Autoconf Script
|
Autoconf
|
ACC
|
GEM Accessory File
|
Gemulator
|
ACR
|
ACRobot Script
|
ACRobot
|
ACTM
|
AutoCAD Action Macro
|
AutoCAD
|
AHK
|
AutoHotkey Script
|
AutoHotkey
|
AIR
|
Adobe AIR Installation Package
|
Adobe AIR
|
APP
|
FoxPro Application
|
Visual FoxPro
|
ARSCRIPT
|
ArtRage Script
|
ArtRage Studio
|
AS
|
Adobe Flash ActionScript File
|
Adobe Flash
|
ASB
|
Alphacam Stone VB Macro
|
Alphacam
|
AWK
|
AWK Script
|
AWK
|
AZW2
|
Kindle Active Content App File
|
Kindle Collection Manager
|
BEAM
|
Compiled Erlang File
|
Erlang
|
BTM
|
4DOS Batch File
|
4DOS
|
CEL
|
Celestia Script
|
Celestia
|
CELX
|
Celestia Script
|
Celestia
|
CHM
|
Compiled HTML Help File
|
Firefox, IE, Safari
|
COF
|
MPLAB COFF File
|
MPLAB IDE
|
CRT
|
Security Certificate
|
Firefox, IE, Chrome, Safari
|
DEK
|
Eavesdropper Batch File
|
Eavesdropper
|
DLD
|
EdLog Compiled Program
|
Edlog
|
DMC
|
Medical Manager Script
|
Sage Medical Manager
|
DOCM
|
Word Macro-Enabled Document
|
Microsoft Word
|
DOTM
|
Word Macro-Enabled Template
|
Microsoft Word
|
DXL
|
Rational DOORS Script
|
Rational DOORS
|
EAR
|
Java Enterprise Archive File
|
Apache Geronimo
|
EBM
|
EXTRA! Basic Macro
|
EXTRA!
|
EBS
|
E-Run 1.x Script
|
E-Prime (v1)
|
EBS2
|
E-Run 2.0 Script
|
E-Prime (v2)
|
ECF
|
SageCRM Component File
|
SageCRM
|
EHAM
|
ExtraHAM Executable
|
HAM Programmer Toolkit
|
ELF
|
Nintendo Wii Game File
|
Dolphin Emulator
|
ES
|
SageCRM Script
|
SageCRM
|
EX4
|
MetaTrader Program File
|
MetaTrader
|
EXOPC
|
ExoPC Application
|
EXOfactory
|
EZS
|
EZ-R Stats Batch Script
|
EZ-R Stats
|
FAS
|
Compiled Fast-Load AutoLISP File
|
AutoCAD
|
FKY
|
FoxPro Macro
|
Visual FoxPro
|
FPI
|
FPS Creator Intelligence Script
|
FPS Creator
|
FRS
|
Flash Renamer Script
|
Flash Renamer
|
FXP
|
FoxPro Compiled Program
|
Visual FoxPro
|
GS
|
Geosoft Script
|
Oasis Montaj
|
HAM
|
HAM Executable
|
Ham Runtime
|
HMS
|
HostMonitor Script
|
HostMonitor
|
HPF
|
HP9100A Program File
|
HP9100A Emulator
|
HTA
|
HTML Application
|
Internet Explorer
|
IIM
|
iMacro Macro
|
iMacros (Firefox Add-on)
|
IPF
|
SMS Installer Script
|
Microsoft SMS
|
ISP
|
Internet Communication Settings
|
Microsoft IIS
|
JAR
|
Java Archive
|
Firefox, IE, Chrome, Safari
|
JS
|
JScript Executable Script
|
Firefox, IE, Chrome, Safari
|
JSX
|
ExtendScript Script
|
Adobe ExtendScript Toolkit
|
KIX
|
KiXtart Script
|
KiXtart
|
LO
|
Interleaf Compiled Lisp File
|
QuickSilver
|
LS
|
LightWave LScript File
|
LightWave
|
MAM
|
Access Macro-Enabled Workbook
|
Microsoft Access
|
MCR
|
3ds Max Macroscript or Tecplot Macro
|
3ds Max
|
MEL
|
Maya Embedded Language File
|
Maya 2013
|
MPX
|
FoxPro Compiled Menu Program
|
Visual FoxPro
|
MRC
|
mIRC Script
|
mIRC
|
MS
|
3ds Max Script
|
3ds Max
|
MS
|
Maxwell Script
|
Maxwell Render
|
MXE
|
Macro Express Playable Macro
|
Macro Express
|
NEXE
|
Chrome Native Client Executable
|
Chrome
|
OBS
|
ObjectScript Script
|
ObjectScript
|
ORE
|
Ore Executable
|
Ore Runtime Environment
|
OTM
|
Outlook Macro
|
Microsoft Outlook
|
PEX
|
ProBoard Executable
|
ProBoard BBS
|
PLX
|
Perl Executable
|
ActivePerl or Microsoft IIS
|
POTM
|
PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Design Template
|
Microsoft PowerPoint
|
PPAM
|
PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Add-in
|
Microsoft PowerPoint
|
PPSM
|
PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Slide Show
|
Microsoft PowerPoint
|
PPTM
|
PowerPoint Macro-Enabled Presentation
|
Microsoft PowerPoint
|
PRC
|
Palm Resource Code File
|
Palm Desktop
|
PVD
|
Instalit Script
|
Instalit
|
PWC
|
PictureTaker File
|
PictureTaker
|
PYC
|
Python Compiled File
|
Python
|
PYO
|
Python Optimized Code
|
Python
|
QPX
|
FoxPro Compiled Query Program
|
Visual FoxPro
|
RBX
|
Rembo-C Compiled Script
|
Rembo Toolkit
|
ROX
|
Actuate Report Object Executable
|
eReport
|
RPJ
|
Real Pac Batch Job File
|
Real Pac
|
S2A
|
SEAL2 Application
|
SEAL
|
SBS
|
SPSS Script
|
SPSS
|
SCA
|
Scala Script
|
Scala Designer
|
SCAR
|
SCAR Script
|
SCAR
|
SCB
|
Scala Published Script
|
Scala Designer
|
SCR
|
Generic Script
|
Original Scripting Engine1
|
SCRIPT
|
Generic Script
|
Original Scripting Engine1
|
SMM
|
Ami Pro Macro
|
Ami Pro
|
SPR
|
FoxPro Generated Screen File
|
Visual FoxPro
|
TCP
|
Tally Compiled Program
|
Tally Developer
|
THM
|
Thermwood Macro
|
Mastercam
|
TLB
|
OLE Type Library
|
Microsoft Excel
|
TMS
|
Telemate Script
|
Telemate
|
UDF
|
Excel User Defined Function
|
Microsoft Excel
|
UPX
|
Ultimate Packer for eXecutables File
|
Ultimate Packer for eXecutables
|
URL
|
Internet Shortcut
|
Firefox, IE, Chrome, Safari
|
VLX
|
Compiled AutoLISP File
|
AutoCAD
|
VPM
|
Vox Proxy Macro
|
Vox Proxy
|
WCM
|
WordPerfect Macro
|
WordPerfect
|
WIDGET
|
Yahoo! Widget
|
Yahoo! Widgets
|
WIZ
|
Microsoft Wizard File
|
Microsoft Word
|
WPK
|
WordPerfect Macro
|
WordPerfect
|
WPM
|
WordPerfect Macro
|
WordPerfect
|
XAP
|
Silverlight Application Package
|
Micrsoft Silverlight
|
XBAP
|
XAML Browser Application
|
Firefox, IE
|
XLAM
|
Excel Macro-Enabled Add-In
|
Microsoft Excel
|
XLM
|
Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook
|
Microsoft Excel
|
XLSM
|
Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook
|
Microsoft Excel
|
XLTM
|
Excel Macro-Enabled Template
|
Microsoft Excel
|
XQT
|
SuperCalc Macro
|
CA SuperCalc
|
XYS
|
XYplorer Script
|
XYplorer
|
ZL9
|
Renamed Virus File
|
ZoneAlarm
|
[1]
By "Original Scripting Engine" I mean whatever program created the
script. It would be impossible to list, and keep updated, the number of
scripting engines that might use these file extensions.
