How To Run Exe Files on Android? [5 Proven Ways in 2023]

Are you looking for a way to run exe on android so that you can play your games or run the software directly on android? Well! I personally have installed exe on an android device. And, I’ll show you the same how to run exe files on android.

Sounds great!

Android has over 2.5 billion active users worldwide, and this number is growing over time. Moreover, many users prefer using their smartphones for everything, including running executable files directly on the phone instead of their PC.

Android Operating System officially doesn’t support exe files directly instead we need a third-party exe file opener for android to run exe files on android.

The good news is that there are a variety of methods available to run .exe on android.

Are you curious to know?

It’s important to know that you can execute only certain exe files on android. Heavy programs can’t be executed on an android device.

There are different Android emulators available on the PC for running Android apps. But after reading this entire article, you’ll be able to run windows games on an android device.

To run windows exe on android, there are numerous file openers available for Android. After much effort, I have compiled a list of the most effective exe file openers for you, so you won’t have to look for them. Moreover, there are many malicious apps too.

How to Run exe Files on Android?

Next, we’ll look deeper at these methods to open exe on Android. Let’s take a bird’s eye view of these methods:

• Via ExaGear – Windows Emulator
• DOS BOX to Open Exe files
• With Inno Setup Extractor
• Wine App to Install Exe File
• Using Remote Desktop

Note: There are limitations to each method to run .exe on android, which we will also discuss in detail in the guide, so stick to it all the way to the end.

Wait! Instead of reading text, how about seeing the practical steps?

Don’t Worry, watch this video and read the text later.

It may be helpful to refer to this textual guide as well to better understand.

Just as we have numerous Android emulators that let you run Android apps on PC, there are also many Windows emulators that let you run exe files on Android devices.

ExaGear is one of the most popular windows emulators that we’ll use to run windows exe files on android.

how to open exe file in mobile Using ExaGear: Procedure

This emulator is not available on the google play store. You can download its zip file by clicking on the link below:

Moreover, download the ZArchiver app from the google play store as well. You can use ES file explorer as well. Launch ZArchiver, navigate to the Download folder, and extract the zip file:

Open the extracted ExaGear folder, you’ll find two items here. Copy the folder named com.eltechs.ed:

Go to Android > obb > paste the copied folder here, you will need to grant permission before pasting:

Once the copied process is done, come back to the extracted ExaGear folder and install the ExaGear Gold apk file:

You may need to enable unknown source installations before installing. The app icon will appear on the home screen once it has been installed. If your eyesight is poor, you can make its app icon bigger.  

Now, launch the app. Click on three lines at the top-left corner > Install New:

Scroll down to the end, and select Other app (not from the list):

Now, select the exe file, you want to install, from the list.   It will display all the files in your Downloads folder.

Once selected, the starting up process will begin. Complete the installation process and you’re good to go:

You may encounter an error during installation that says this version cannot be installed on Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista. In that case, you need to install a lower version of that exe file.

Although heavy PC software cannot be installed, the program is capable of installing most executable files. I have installed VLC and notepad++ to test this emulator.  

After launching the ExaGear app, you’ll find the shortcut of the installed exe file on the Desktop:

This was the entire procedure on how to open exe files on android using this exe emulator for android. There are many other exe emulators for android available to perform this action, you can utilize them too.

Want to see the practical guide to save time?

You can watch this video tutorial and read the textual guide later:

DosBox Turbo, one of many DosBox emulators available on the web, is a great option for running exe files on Android.

It is available on the play store, but it is a paid apk file. However, you can download it for free by following the link below:

Even DOS games of 1999 can be played on it easily, which the latest operating systems cannot. In my own experience, I enjoyed playing Tetris Queen (video game) on a command-line interface (DosBox).

how to open exe file Using DOS Box: Procedure

Download your favorite game and place it in your android Download Folder.

Extract in case of the zip file (in the Download folder). You need to remember the name (and path as well) of extracted folder and the exe file name:

After downloading the DosBox Turbo from the above link, install it and grant storage permission in order to access files.

Launch the DosBox Turbo (command-line interface) app and tap on the keyboard icon to write:

Now, if your exe file is placed on the Download folder then, simply type its name without the .exe extension like tetris in DosBox and tap enter like below:

The game will begin loading, you can control it via your android keyboard.

But if it’s placed in another folder then, type cd foldername. Here, replace foldername with your own folder and tap enter:

The directory will be changed, and now simply type the exe file name, tap enter and your game will start loading, you can change android keyboard shortcuts within the game as well:

If you are having trouble hearing the sound, make sure that your phone speaker or headphone is working properly.

To save time, take a look at this practical video guide:

While there are plenty of exe file openers available on the Internet, the Inno setup extractor is one of the best and most straightforward exe file openers.

Inno setup extractor is an easy-to-use and single-page interface exe file opener for android. Even a non-techy person can easily this lightweight exe file opener.

How to Use Inno exe file opener for android: Procedure

First, download and install the Inno setup extractor from the google play store to extract Inno setup files.

Then, you just need to select an exe file, you want to extract, from the file browser and the destination:

Then, tap on the upload symbol, Inno setup extractor will begin extracting or installing that exe file on your android device.

In this way, you can convert exe file to its installed version.

Sometimes you may face an error like the Selected file is not a valid Inno Setup file. Not all exe files can be extracted but most of the apps can easily be installed.

How to run exe on android using Inno Setup Extractor?

Ok, I followed your steps but how to run exe on android using Inno? Inno Setup Extractor is just an exe file opener for android. You can’t run an exe file using it. Feeling sad!

Then, how to open exe file on android?

Well! you can use the DOS BOX to run exe on android as discussed earlier to enjoy your favorite games. Now, sounds cool!

Note that, DOX Box is also not able to run heavy games or software like GTA 5, Wondershare DemoAir, etc. Only lightweight exe files can be enjoyed.

Watch this video tutorial for a practical guide:

This method will not work if you don’t follow these instructions carefully when running the exe file on an android device. You may or may not be able to use this method, depending on your phone’s processor architecture.

Download and Install Wine App:

To download the best version for your device, follow the given steps:

• Go to the Wine website  
• Download the latest version.
• Two versions are available for arm and x86 processors. You need to check the processor on your smartphone before installing
• The next section will tell you what type of processor your smartphone has

Check Processor Type:

Navigate to the Play Store and download the Droid Hardware Info app.

After installation, launch the app and go to the System tab. Here, check the CPU Architecture of your smartphone:

Now, download the wine apk file according to your smartphone processor architecture.

Installing Windows Programs Using Wine:

Upon installing the wine app on your smartphone, it will look like Windows since it simulates the Windows environment. You will see a little command prompt as well.

Note: You may be stuck on the interface saying Setting up windows environment or blank screen, it means either you downloaded the wrong version or there’s a hardware compatibility issue. Moreover, you can try restarting your phone.

Follow the given procedure to install the executable file on the phone:

• Launch the wine app on your smartphone
• Tap on the Start button, at the bottom left corner, and then tap on Run

• Click on Browse and locate the software, you want to install 

• Once you select the desired exe file, you want to install, tap on Open like below:

• Click on OK and the installation process will begin

Android’s OS cannot meet the requirements of every computer program, so you should only install light applications and games if you wish to use them smoothly.

Launch Software:

Some of the programs will launch automatically after successful installation, but you can also run them manually.

There are two ways to launch the installed exe file on your phone. These methods are given below:

• The shortcut of the software will be generated on your wine app desktop. You can run it by double-tapping. This is the easiest way to launch the program.

• If you are unable to find the shortcut of software then click on Start > Programs > Select your software. Your program will quickly open and you can use it. This is how to open exe file on android using the wine app.

Isn’t it amazing? This is an entire step-by-step procedure on how to open exe file in mobile using the wine app.

It is the most efficient method of running Windows software on an Android phone in a Windows environment.

We won’t be installing anything, but the screen of the smartphone will serve as a mirror that shows everything you do on the computer.  Sounds good!

Using this method, we will actually install software on a PC using our smartphone and control it on our own phones. In this way, we’ll be using windows exe files on our android phone. Isn’t it a great idea?

how to open exe files on android Using TeamViewer: Procedure

Download and install TeamViewer for your windows PC. Also, download and install TeamViewer Remote Control for android devices.

Open TeamViewer on PC and note down the Your ID and Password.

Launch the mobile app and type the ID, tap on REMOTE CONTROL, and enter the password as well.

Your mobile will start connecting with your PC. Using your mobile, you can now install and use Windows apps, but everything will actually be happening on your PC.

So, I hope you have understood this method on how to open exe files on android using this remote control.

What is the Purpose of Running Exe Files on an Android Phone?

When using Android phones, customers frequently run against constraints. One of these restrictions is the inability to natively run.exe files. Yet there are a lot of reasons you would want to use your Android phone to execute.exe files.

Access to Windows Applications: Running.exe files on Android devices is mostly used to access Windows software, which can only be found in.exe file format. This may be a practical technique to use a specific Windows application for professional or non-professional purposes.

Portability: When bringing a laptop or tablet is not possible, you can keep crucial files and applications on your Android phone for easy access. You may access all of your files and programs from anywhere by running .exe files on your Android phone.

Flexibility: Although Android is a flexible operating system, it has certain limitations. Running .exe files on an Android phone increases flexibility for customization and personalization, simplifying the process of installing new applications, addressing technical issues, and accessing specific files.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s especially useful to run exe on android when you don’t have a PC or laptop. I hope you have understood how to run exe files on android.

I suggest you use the Windows software on your desktop computer/Laptop.

An android phone cannot run the executable file in the same way as a computer can. Moreover, your smartphone is unable to run heavy exe files.

By reading this article on how to run exe files on android, I hope you learned something worthwhile. l free to share it with your family so they can also improve their tech knowledge. Be sure to read my other articles on technology as well.