Buzz
Typically, the most concise and comprehensive answer you'll receive is that you can't open .exe files on Mac OS. This is because the Mac OS and Windows operating systems use different encodings and are not compatible.
However, if you still want to open .exe files on the Mac OS and install or use Windows software on your Mac, MacBook, Mac Mini, or iMac, you can apply one of the solutions below.
Mac OS X Software
Before attempting methods to open .exe files on Mac OS, check if the software you're trying to install has a version available for the Mac OS you're using. Many programs are developed for various operating systems, so you might download the Mac OS version instead of the Windows version.
If the software is only available for Windows, you can apply one of the following solutions to open .exe files on Mac and install that software or program.
How to Open .exe Files on Mac OS
Boot Camp
The primary solution for installing and using Windows software on Mac is to use Boot Camp, which requires an Intel-based platform. Boot Camp allows you to install Windows as a secondary operating system on your Mac, known as dual-booting.
This software comes pre-installed on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. You can search for 'Boot Camp Assistant' or navigate to the Utilities folder.
Follow the instructions to install Windows on a new partition on the hard drive. The latest version of Boot Camp (4.0) supports Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate, but does not support XP or Vista versions.
After completing the installation process, during Mac startup, simply choose the operating system you want to use.
Virtualization
The second solution is to purchase and install virtualization software on Mac, such as Parallels or VMware Fusion. This allows you to run Windows on a virtual machine inside the Mac OS operating system. So, you can run both operating systems simultaneously.
When using Windows virtualization, you can open .exe files on Mac OS just like on a Windows computer.
Simulation Software
The final solution for simulating Windows on Mac OS is to use CrossOver simulation software. Unlike other solutions, this one does not require a Windows license to operate.
However, the limitation is that not all Windows applications are supported, so you should check beforehand if CrossOver supports that Windows application.
Just like on Windows, when installing and using applications, after a while, you may want to uninstall the ones you no longer use. Refer to how to uninstall applications on Mac to cleanly remove programs and applications that no longer slow down your computer.
