List of Executable File Extensions – Windows

A file extension is the characters after the period at the end of a filename, such as .DOCX, .PDF or .TXT. File extensions tell you the file type, and which programs can open it. Files with the following extensions are executable files. This means they can run programs on your computer, sometimes without you even knowing about it.

Anti-virus software usually stops  malicious files from executing, but it’s not 100% reliable. Please exercise caution before opening any executable file, especially those received in suspicious emails or downloaded from unfamiliar websites.

 

Extension	Format
BAT	Batch File
BIN	Binary Executable
CMD	Command Script
COM	Command File
CPL	Control Panel Extension
EXE	Executable
GADGET	Windows Gadget
INF1	Setup Information File
INS	Internet Communication Settings
INX	InstallShield Compiled Script
ISU	InstallShield Uninstaller Script
JOB	Windows Task Scheduler Job File
JSE	JScript Encoded File
LNK	File Shortcut
MSC	Microsoft Common Console Document
MSI	Windows Installer Package
MSP	Windows Installer Patch
MST	Windows Installer Setup Transform File
PAF	Portable Application Installer File
PIF	Program Information File
PS1	Windows PowerShell Cmdlet
REG	Registry Data File
RGS	Registry Script
SCR	Screensaver Executable
SCT	Windows Scriptlet
SHB	Windows Document Shortcut
SHS	Shell Scrap Object
U3P	U3 Smart Application
VB	VBScript File
VBE	VBScript Encoded Script
VBS	VBScript File
VBSCRIPT	Visual Basic Script
WS	Windows Script
WSF	Windows Script
WSH	Windows Script Preference