Executable File Extensions - Descriptions & Uses

.exe

Windows executable file format for running applications and programs.

.bat

Batch file used in Windows to execute a series of commands in the command prompt.

.cmd

Windows command file, similar to a batch file, used to execute command-line instructions.

.msi

Windows installer package format, used to install software on Windows systems.

.bin

Binary file format that stores data or executable code, often used for firmware or game files.

.com

Legacy executable file format for DOS, used to execute command-line applications.

.app

MacOS application package, used to install and run applications on Mac.

.gadget

Windows gadget, used for mini-applications or widgets on the desktop.

.wsf

Windows Script File, used to execute scripts written in multiple languages in Windows.

.scr

Windows screensaver file, often executable to launch screen-saving visuals.

.pif

Program Information File, a shortcut format used in DOS and Windows to start applications.

.cpl

Control Panel Item, used in Windows to open Control Panel tools.

.vb

Visual Basic script file, commonly used for automation tasks in Windows.

.vbs

Visual Basic Script file, used to execute scripts in Windows environments.

.vbe

Encoded Visual Basic script file, used for obfuscating code.

.js

JavaScript file, used to execute code on web browsers and servers.

.jse

Encoded JavaScript file, used to obfuscate JavaScript code.

.wsh

Windows Script Host file, a configuration file used to run scripts in Windows.

.inf

Setup Information file, used by Windows to install software or drivers.

.ps1

PowerShell script file, used to execute PowerShell commands on Windows.

.psm1

PowerShell module file, used to define functions and cmdlets in PowerShell.

.ps1xml

PowerShell formatting file, used to define how objects are displayed in PowerShell.

.psc1

PowerShell Console file, used to store PowerShell console settings.

.psc2

PowerShell Console Configuration file, an updated version of PSC1.

.msp

Windows Installer Patch, used to apply updates or patches to installed programs.

.msu

Microsoft Update file, used to distribute software updates on Windows.

.sct

Script Component file, used to store scripts for execution.

.hta

HTML Application, an executable HTML file that runs in Windows Script Host.

.sh

Shell script file, used to execute command-line instructions in Unix-based systems.

.run

Executable script file used in Linux to run applications.

.ksh

KornShell script, a shell script file used in Unix-based systems.

.bash

Bash script file, used for automation in Unix/Linux systems.

.csh

C shell script, used for executing commands in the C shell environment.

.tcsh

T C Shell script, used for executing commands in Unix-based systems.

.zsh

Z shell script, used in Unix systems, particularly with the Zsh shell.

.scpt

AppleScript file, used to automate tasks in macOS.

.scptd

AppleScript bundle, used in macOS for organizing AppleScript files.

.osa

Apple Open Scripting Architecture, used for automation in macOS.

.osax

AppleScript Scripting Addition, adds additional commands to AppleScript.

.workflow

Automator Workflow, used in macOS for automating tasks.

.apk

Android Package, used to distribute and install applications on Android devices.

.dmg

Apple Disk Image, used for installing software on macOS.

.ipa

iOS App Store Package, used to install applications on iOS devices.

.deb

Debian package, used to install applications on Debian-based Linux distributions.

.rpm

Red Hat Package Manager file, used to install applications on Red Hat-based systems.

.flatpak

Flatpak package, a universal Linux package format for sandboxed applications.

.snap

Snap package, a universal Linux package format for securely installing applications.

.vmdk

VMware Virtual Disk, used to store virtual machine disk images.

.ova

Open Virtual Appliance, used for packaging virtual machines.

.ovf

Open Virtualization Format, used for distributing virtual machines.

.iso

Disc image format, used for optical disc storage and mounting.

.img

Disk image file, stores exact copies of disks for mounting or burning.

.efi

Extensible Firmware Interface, executable format used in EFI systems.

.dll

Dynamic Link Library, contains code and resources used by Windows applications.

.drv

Device driver file, used by Windows to communicate with hardware devices.

.sys

System file, used by Windows for device drivers and core system functions.

.ocx

ActiveX Control, used in Windows for interactive web elements and applications.

.rll

Dynamic Link Library used for resources in software localization.

.a

Library file, used in Unix/Linux systems for code libraries.

.so

Shared object file, Unix/Linux equivalent to DLLs, used in programs.

.dylib

Dynamic library, macOS version of shared libraries.

.out

Executable file, often used in Unix systems.

.elf

Executable and Linkable Format, standard executable file format in Unix.

.prg

Program file, used in various systems for executable programs.

.appimage

Portable executable format for Linux, allows applications to run on various distributions.

.cgi

Common Gateway Interface script, used for executing scripts on web servers.

.fcgi

FastCGI script, a faster version of CGI used in web applications.

.xpi

Mozilla Installer Package, used to install plugins and extensions in Mozilla applications.

.jar

Java Archive, executable format for running Java applications.

.class

Java Class file, compiled code used in Java applications.

.war

Web Application Archive, used to distribute web applications in Java.

.ear

Enterprise Application Archive, used to package enterprise Java applications.

.xap

Windows Phone Application Package, used to install apps on Windows Phone.

.beam

Erlang BEAM file, contains compiled Erlang code.

.pyd

Python Dynamic Module, a compiled Python module.

.plugin

macOS plugin, used for adding functionality to applications.

.nexe

Native Client Executable, used in Google Chrome for running native code.

.appx

Windows Application Package, used for apps on Windows Store.