Website Builders.com

  • Home
  • Builder Reviews
        • Our team have carefully reviewed a selection of premium website building platform, making it easier for you to choose the right one.

          While most website builders are compatible for generic  website building, including online stores, blogs and generic websites, some are better than others depending on what your website type.

        • Website Builder Reviews

          GoDaddy

          IM Creator

          Jimdo

          Squarespace

          Voog

          Weebly

          Wix

          WordPress

        • Store Builder Reviews

          BigCommerce

          GoDaddy Store

          Shopify

          Weebly

          Wix

          Yola

        • Comparisons

          Wix vs. Weebly

          Shopify vs. BigCommerce

  • Start A Blog
  • How To Guides
        • With over 500 pages of detailed tutorials and guides, our guides cover a large chunk of online topics.

          Learn crafty tips and tricks to make your time online smooth. Our directory is useful for internet newbies, as well as aspiring website builders.

          Check out the full directory.

        • Building a Website

          How To Build a Website

          Name Your Website – Domain

          Picking a Web Hosting Service

          Content and User Experience

          More

        • Searching and Research

          Searching the Web

          Doing Research Online

          The World of Wiki

          Finding Videos Online

          More

        • E-mails – Basics and Advanced

          Getting Started

          Sending an E-mail Message

          Opening Attachments

          Sending Attachments

          More

        • Social Media & Communication

          Instant Messaging

          Online Networking

          Facebook

          LinkedIn

          More

        • Files, Downloads, Software & Installs

          File Formats and Extensions

          Install Plug-Ins

          How to Download Files

          Downloading Software

          More

        • Making Money Online

          Making Money with Facebook

          Affiliate Marketing

          Virtual Assistant

          Writing Articles

          More

        • Online Shopping

          10 Tips for Smart and Safe Shopping

          Smart Shopping

          Protecting Personal Information

          Looking for Discounts

          More

  • Website Builder Tools Your Business Can’t Do Without (+ Links To Useful Resources)
    • HTML Character Codes
    • Advertiser Tracking Cookies: There ARE Ways To Opt Out – Here’s How
    • Website Glossary
  • Our Blog
        • Recent Posts

          When you have awesome writers, it is easy to spread wisdom. Take a look at some of our recent posts on various internet and website related topics.

          Have any suggestions on topics? Don’t hold back, send us your ideas:

          [email protected]

        • 12 Simple Rules on How to Use E-mail Politely

          Live Chat Software: Is it Worth It? Facebook Says Yes.

          Algorithmic Warfare: Is it the Beginning or the End?

          How to Promote Your Pet Business Online

          DIY Marketing: 7 Steps for any Business Owner

        • 20 Ideas to Generate Your First Online Sale

          Complete Guide to Content Marketing

          8 Best Free Photo Editors for Product Photosraphy

          Press Kits: DIY to Free Media Hype

          Why Backlinks are Essential for SEO – How To Build Them

  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • How Did You Make This Site?
    • How the Website Is Funded
    • Our Team
You are here: Home / The Complete List Of How-To Tutorials For Internet Dummies / The Interactive Glossary: Defining the Net / Executable File Definition | The Interactive Glossary

Executable File Definition | The Interactive Glossary

Disclosure: Your support helps keep the site running! We earn a referral fee for some of the services we recommend on this page. Learn more

Contents

  • 1 Executable File
  • 2 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 2.1 How is an executable file different from other files on my computer?
    • 2.2 Are executable files safe?
    • 2.3 How can I tell if something is an executable file?
  • 3 Glossary Index

Executable File

A program file that can be run by a computer or device.

An executable file contains a set of instructions, which your device interprets and runs when you open that file. For example, when you open the Microsoft Word executable file, it launches the Microsoft Word application.

To run an executable file, you open it the same way you would any other file on your computer. On Windows, that means double-clicking on the executable file’s icon. On most mobile devices, you launch executable icons by tapping the related app’s icon on your home screen or from your programs list.

Also See: File Extension, App, Downloading Software

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an executable file different from other files on my computer?

Most files on your computer are known as data files. A data file does not contain any instructions for opening it. Instead, data files require a specific program to interpret the information contained in them. For instance, a Word document requires a word processor to open it. Each type of data file on your device is associated with a specific executable file, and when you try to open a data file, your device opens that associated program. You can also open a data file directly from its associated program. If there is no program associated with a file type, your device will not be able to open it. Executable files, on the other hand, do not require any other program to run, since they contain specific instructions for your machine to execute.

Are executable files safe?

Most executable files are perfectly safe, but executable files from unknown sources can pose a security risk. Since executable files talk directly to your operating system or computer, opening one can cause any number of things to occur. Safe ones will simply execute or install a program. Unsafe executable files, including viruses and malware, can instruct your computer to do things that may harm your files or expose your personal or confidential information. It’s best to only download and open executable files from sources you trust, such as your device’s app store or a trusted website. This is also why you should never open links contained in emails, as they may lead to malicious executable files. To learn how to protect your device from unsafe executable files, see our guide to Computer Viruses.

How can I tell if something is an executable file?

Depending on the device you’re running and the file-view settings, you may see a unique extension for executable files. Executables in Windows operating systems usually have an .EXE file extension. On Android, executable files usually contain the APK extension. In Macintosh operating systems, the default file extension for executable files is APP. On iOS, it is IPA.

If your computer does not display file extensions, you may need to change the settings within your file explorer to show file name extensions.


Glossary Index

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Latest Posts

Hosting

Black Friday 2023: Website Builder & Web Hosting Deals For Webmasters [Updated]

Uncategorized

Why WebsiteBuilders.com Got Hacked (Yes, You Can Blame Social Warfare)

E-mail Internet

E-Mail Etiquette: 12 Basic Rules For Politely Using E-Mail

Marketing social networking

Live Chat Software: Should You Invest In It? (It’s Easier Than You Think)

Computer Science

Never Heard Of Algorithmic Warfare? Then You’d Better Read This

Marketing

How To Successfully Promote Your Pet Business Online With Minimum Effort

Most Popular Reviews

  • Website Builder Reviews
  • Wix
  • Weebly
  • Squarespace
  • GoDaddy Website Builder
  • Shopify

Recent Posts

  • Black Friday 2023: Website Builder & Web Hosting Deals For Webmasters [Updated] November 5, 2019
  • Why WebsiteBuilders.com Got Hacked (Yes, You Can Blame Social Warfare) March 23, 2019
  • E-Mail Etiquette: 12 Basic Rules For Politely Using E-Mail November 15, 2017

About WebsiteBuilders.com

Everything you need to know about the WebsiteBuilders.com team.

About Us

Our Team

How The Website Is Funded

Privacy Policy

© 2017-2022 Website Builders.com | Sitemap