List of Executable File Extensions

Files with these extensions might be able to execute a task automatically

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 just display data, play a sound or video, or otherwise present content without running a system command.

technician using a computer in a server room

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File Extensions Explained

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.

To put it in even simpler terms, these files either belong to programs, scripts, or program extensions and plugins. They're meant to run and do things on your computer, only you can't be sure exactly what they're running or doing. That's why it's always crucial to only run them when they come from a trusted source or website.

Those operations could be damaging if, for example, you were to run a virus-infected executable file that you received by email from someone you don't know.

Use an online virus scanner on the specific file you're concerned about if you're not sure if it's safe (remember, though, that not all dangerous files are necessarily malicious, so those scanners shouldn't be your only line of defense).

High-Risk File Extensions

We've rated the following executable file types as High Risk because essentially all computers with the listed operating system installed, execute the commands contained in the executable file.

In other words, files with the extensions listed below can be executed with some basic parts of Windows, macOS, Linux, etc. No additional program is required.

Potentially Dangerous File Extensions
Extension Format Operating System(s)
ACTION Automator Action macOS
APK Application Android
APP Executable macOS
BAT Batch File Windows
BIN Binary Executable Windows, macOS, Linux
CAB Windows Cabinet Windows
CMD Command Script Windows
COM Command File Windows
COMMAND Terminal Command macOS
CPL Control Panel Extension Windows
CSH C Shell Script macOS, Linux
EX_ Compressed Executable Windows
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 JScript 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 macOS
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
SCR Screensaver Executable Windows
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 macOS
WS Windows Script Windows
WSF Windows Script Windows
WSH Windows Script Preference 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.

High Risk File Extensions
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, Safari
COF MPLAB COFF File MPLAB IDE
CRT Security Certificate Firefox, 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
IIM iMacro Macro iMacros (Firefox Add-on)
IPF SMS Installer Script Microsoft SMS
ISP Internet Communication Settings Microsoft IIS
JAR Java Archive Firefox, Chrome, Safari
JS JScript Executable Script Firefox, 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
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, 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 Microsoft Silverlight
XBAP XAML Browser Application Firefox
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] "Original Scripting Engine" refers to 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.

This is not a complete list of executable file extensions, nor is it a list of dangerous but non-executable file types. 

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