How to extract from old .exe file?


  1. Posts : 2
    64-bit Windows 7
       #1

    How to extract from old .exe file?


    Hi guys,

    So I have an old computer game that apparently was designed to run on Windows 3.1 (1993). I'm trying to extract a disk image from the .exe file so that I can play it on a DOS emulator. I tried to extract it via command line, but I got an error saying, "The program cannot start or run due to incompatibility with 64-bit versions of Windows." I also tried extracting it with Universal Extractor, but didn't work because it said the .exe file is not a valid PE file. The DOS emulator won't run the installer of the game, which is why I'm trying to extract it.

    I tried just running the .exe file in compatibility mode, but the lowest I could go was Windows 95, which still didn't work.

    I'm determined to figure this out, please help!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #2

    Windows 3.1 is a 16 bit OS. No 64 bit version of Windows has ever supported 16 bit applications. Running the application under a virtual machine is the only option.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    64-bit Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    LMiller7 said:
    Windows 3.1 is a 16 bit OS. No 64 bit version of Windows has ever supported 16 bit applications. Running the application under a virtual machine is the only option.
    I understand I can't directly run the program. I'm wondering how I can extract the files so that I can play the disk image on a DOS emulator.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,872
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 8.1 Pro x64, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1,
       #4

    Have you tried using 7-zip? I use version 9.22beta

    7-Zip
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 97
    Windows 7 x86
       #5

    AFAIK 7-zip cannot handle exe's
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,872
    Windows 10 Pro x64, Windows 8.1 Pro x64, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1,
       #6

    It depends on the .exe. It is worth a try.
      My Computer


 

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