Create a self extractor in Windows without any third party tool (Compressed EXE).

A file with the ".EXE" extension, is a type of executable file generally used with Windows operating systems. The EXE is one of the most important and useful files in Windows, as it is used to install or run maximum programs.

Many times when we share a files or folder in a compressed format such as .zip, .rar, .7zip, etc..

to extract such files we need a third party extractor like 7zip, Winzip, Winrar etc…

But to make our work easy windows has a hidden feature called “iexpress” by which we can create a self extractor package which doesn't need any third party application for extraction. Windows creates a .EXE file to which we have to just execute it for extraction.

Lets see how does it work :-

1 - Open “Run” by clicking + R key

2 - Now in “Run” type “iexpress”, Without quotes (“). And press “OK”.

3 - It will open a IExpress Wizard window. There select “Create new self extraction directive file.” and click on “Next”.

4 - Now Select “Extract files only”, and click on “Next”.

5 - Now enter the “Package Title”. And click on “Next”.

6 - Select a confirmation prompt for your EXE file if required. This screen will provide an option to display a text message to the user upon executing the file. If you don't wish to provide a prompt, select "No prompt." option. And click on “Next”.

7 - Now it will provide an option to choose a license agreement for your package. To display a license agreement, type the agreement into a plain text file (using the ".txt" extension) and attach it after selecting, "Display a license." option. If you dont want to display any licence agreement select “Do not display a licence.” and click on “Next”.

8 - Now you are in the most important window calls as “Packaged files”. In this window click on “Add” button and select the files which you want to add in your .EXE file. And click on “Next”.

NOTE :- In iexpress we can only add files not any directory (folders).

9 - Here select how do you want to display your EXE extraction window. If you don't have any idea select “Default (recommended)” and click on “Next”.

10 - Now this screen will provide an option to display a text message to the user after complete execution on the package. If you don't wish to prompt any message, select "No prompt." option. And click on “Next”.

11 - Now click on “Browse” and select the location where you want to save the EXE file, also provide a name to the file. And click on “Next”.

12 - Select “Don’t save.“ and Click on “Next”.

13 - Click on “Next”, to start the package creation. It will take some time depending upon the number and size of files to be compressed.

14 - After completing the package creation process. It will prompt a window. Click on “Finish” to close.

Go to the location where you have saved the file, The file is now ready to use.

Enjoy! and stay connected.