How To Email Executable (EXE) Files
We’ve all run into this problem before. You’ve got a cool program that you want to send to someone. So what do you do? You open up your email and you try to send it.
Well, this is where you run into problems. Most email services (Gmail, Yahoo!, Outlook, etc.) will not send files that end in .exe (executable files), for the simple fact that executable files often contain viruses, and all it takes is a click to activate it.
Here’s a workaround for that problem. It’s very simple.
All you have to do is rename the file. Say you have a file called “program.exe” that you want to send to a friend. All you need to do is rename it to something like “program._xe,” or “program.exe1.” Something like that. Your email program will not recognize it as an executable file and will send it without any problems.
The part about this process that gives people trouble is the fact that Microsoft doesn’t make renaming file extensions very easy for the lay-user – especially since Windows XP and now, Vista. You can’t simply change a file extension by right-clicking and selecting “Rename,” or pressing F2. Not immediately, at least. Here’s how you can make this possible though…
Open up the Control Panel. Then select “Folder Options.” In Vista, you’ll have to switch to “Classic View” first. After opening Folder Options, select the “View” tab. Look down that list until you see where it says, “Hide extensions for known file types.” Make sure this box is NOT checked. Click apply, and you’re ready to go. Now you can rename files and change their extensions by just pressing F2 or right-clicking and selecting “Rename.”
In order for your recipient to use the file you’ve sent, they must rename the file back to “program.exe.” You can explain them the entire process, or simply refer them back to this entry.
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hi,
thank u very much …guys it really works
thnaks for the dea,….
saved me sooooo much work with ftp clients and such
This technique should work OK, although you could also place the .exe file in a ZIP package, or use a file sharing site, eg RapidShare.
Ian,
As far as I know, even placing an EXE file in a ZIP format still results in not being able to send the file. The email client will detect that there is an EXE inside the ZIP, and the file will not be sent.
If you have evidence otherwise, I’d love to see it. This is the only way I’ve been able to send EXE files.
Which email client were you able to send an EXE file with?
This is an area where it is hard to give general advice, as there are so many different e-mail clients, and many e-mail servers automatically filter out and do not deliver .exe, .scr, .bat and .paf attachments. Also, I tried renaming a program to .exe1 as suggested, but it was not delivered, possibly because somewhere along the way it was filtered as an unrecognized file type. Windows also warns that changing a file extension may make the file unusable.
Rather than risking more controversial advice, here is something that definitely did work for me today. Use WinRAR and encrypt the file, selecting “Encrypt file names”. Windows Vista Mail said “***UNCHECKED*** WARNING: MESSAGE ENCRYPTED”, but did let me open the file and the program worked OK.
Since programs are often several MB or more they do not make ideal e-mail attachments, and the main disappointment is that it is no longer possible to send self-extracting archives with the .exe file extension. File sharing websites like RapidShare make no fuss about .exe files, so they are probably the most hassle free way of sending executable files.
zip doesnt work
but if you use winrar and make a rar file
it works perfect
–jk
Keep working ,great job!
I usually do not comment on blog posts but I found this quite interesting, so here goes. Thanks! Regards, P.
Great information…!!!!
Keep it up….
It sounds like you’re creating problems yourself by trying to solve this issue instead of looking at why their is a problem in the first place.
Yong,
I’m not in the business of programming email clients, regulating internet security standards, etc. So, “looking at why there is a problem in the first place” is a little above my pay grade.
All I can do is solve the problem, right? I don’t see how I’ve created any problems here. The issue is resolved, and I didn’t have to learn how to program an email client or regulate any international internet security standards. Much easier.
Yong,
The reason email services are not allowing .exe files to be email is because they are potentially dangerous to the receiving user and therefore filtered out. The problem was created by “bad” people sending malicious programs and not by the person asking the question.
thanks! am learning to program in C and wanted to show my friend. this helps! Shame on email providers trying to regulate email traffic.
they’re doing it to protect inexperienced users from viruses, doesn’t seem shameful to me
So are there any mail services that allow you to email exe?
Cause I’d love to send some bad programming to these damn spammers.
Unfortunately, no. Apparently it was set up as a standard that executable files are not allowed to be sent via email. I totally agree with that sentiment.
It doesn’t work. I’ve tried it. “Hide extensions for known file types” is already unchecked and it just isn’t working.
What isn’t working? After un-checking “Hide extensions for known file types,” do you see the extension of the file you’re trying to send?
actually, last time I checked yahoo allowed .exe files through. but fewer people have yahoo these days.
with gmail it works to compress the file in winrar and split it in parts. but some filters will still see those.
a good one is using Word, and embedding the file in a doc file. seems to work for most.
Yeah, I never use Yahoo. Gmail seems to be the only relatively spam-free email service these days. And Hotmail… forget it. I’m lucky if I get less than 200 spam messages in my inbox per day.
I’ve tried compressing files, but not splitting them up. I’ll have to try that.
As far as embedding an EXE in a DOC file, how does that work?
Yahoo mail definitely allows you to send executable files.
They have anti virus software that the checks the “executable file” for viruses. They have never let me down!!!!
I have the same problem sending demo software by email. Zip files won’t email nor changing the exe file to exa or whatever. The only way to email an exe file is to have the recipient change his email browser security settings to allow executable files to download. Make sure you know who is sending the file and then re-check that option back on when done. Cick on Tools, Options and and put a check mark in the proper line to allow or dis-allow downloads.
RJ, that is completely untrue. If you make a .rar file out of the .exe file(rarlabs.com), you can email anything.
thats great…………its useful.
I can’t believe no one has suggested this: rename the file extension with another KNOWN file extension, which does not closely resemble “exe”
attachment.exe -> attachment.jpg
It will look like just a huge jpeg file, which nothing will block. Then change it back to .exe after. Using “exe1” is asking for trouble, either because it still has “exe” in it, or because there is no such file extension in the first place.
Why risk it failing? Change it to something recognisable like “.mp3” or “.jpg”
Windows 7 is just as jerky about renaming an .exe. I finally moved to a server and renamed it there.
It really works. i too tried it and found successful.
Fabulous/It worked
it can work if one archieved it to .rar file…
i tried it with both rediff and gmail
Changing the extensions works with Gmail. Just change it from .exe to .xxx.
I got it to work also, thanks for the tip!
it really works
thanks a lot friend
u solved my problems
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I tried this, because Windows will no longer allow one to unzip a zipped folder containing an executable file. So I change the extension from .exe to .ex_, then emailed the zipped file from my Win 7 machine to my Vista machine. Saved the zipped file, and extracted fine. Changed the extension back to .exe. Then tried to run it:
“Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.”
I guess MS does not allow me to run *my own code* for crying out loud.
Where is the setting that says hey, I am a grown up, I will take my chances?
To be specific… Windows will not allow you to unzip and executable file when it has been received via email.
If I open the email containing the zipped file with the altered file extension to .ex_ on my Windows 7 machine, unzip the file and change the file extension back to .exe, I still can’t run the resulting executable. Windows tells me it came over the internet and will not open it.
I need to be able to send this to a colleague. What am I to do?
go to properties and choose unblock. should work
It Really Works Yaar….!! thanzz
Good work. I kept thinking that there was a way until I found you in Google. What would the world be like without this piece of writing!!
Thank You so much. It works really great
Thank You!!
No problem!
This is pretty difficult to do these days because the email filters are getting quite smart. The way I manage to do it is to add the exe to an encrypte/password protected zip file. This encrypts the contents from prying filters. Of course you will need to provide the receiver with the password.
thank u fr dt!!! :D
Hey you can also use forgetbox for sending your exe file, even if its a really big one !
Like that you can share your entire project :p
Thank you very much,~
But there is one problem… I sent the email the renamed .exe file, and I got it back from the email and I renamed it again to the original. but, It’s not working. To inform about the .exe file, I made it with the program called “Small Basic”.
Can anyone give me answer about this?
If you launch the original exe in the same directory of your renamed exe , it works or not ?
Maybe it’s a link problem . Otherwise, use forgetbox for send your exe without rename it .
if you launch your original executable in the same directory as your exectuable renamed is that it works? I think it is a problem with the link library. Otherwise use Forgetbox to send your executable without renaming it and it should work. Godd luck ;)
Thank u very much ~ it works :)
Glad to be able to help!
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It’s much earsier to just zip the file. The receiver unzips, OKs that they’re opening an exe file and goes on their way.
Why not use RAR?
Cute idea, but a bad solution. Sending a password protected rar is much less confusing for the recipient.
This was really really great info :)