How do you open .exe files on a Mac?
December 27, 2010 11:38 AM Subscribe
Mac noob question.
I am trying to install Skype for Mac on my Mac. I downloaded a file called skypesetup.exe and tried to open it. For some reason the computer defaults to opening .exe files with TextEdit. I right clicked on the file and found an "open with..." option but I'm not sure what to open it with.
I am trying to install Skype for Mac on my Mac. I downloaded a file called skypesetup.exe and tried to open it. For some reason the computer defaults to opening .exe files with TextEdit. I right clicked on the file and found an "open with..." option but I'm not sure what to open it with.
You're downloading the windows installer. Macs do not run .exe files. Look for the Mac installer, often a .dmg or .zip file.
posted by ericost at 11:40 AM on December 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by ericost at 11:40 AM on December 27, 2010 [1 favorite]
Unless you're running Windows on your Mac, you'll need to go back and download the Mac OS X version - .exe is a Windows executable file, whereas the Mac version for Skype is a .dmg.
posted by carbide at 11:41 AM on December 27, 2010
posted by carbide at 11:41 AM on December 27, 2010
Response by poster: The exe file is what I get when I try to download the mac version. Strange.
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 11:41 AM on December 27, 2010
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 11:41 AM on December 27, 2010
Here's a direct link you can try: http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-macosx.dmg
posted by ericost at 11:43 AM on December 27, 2010
posted by ericost at 11:43 AM on December 27, 2010
Data point: when I clicked carbide's link and then hit "download now," it gave me a .dmg file. Don't know why you'd be getting an .exe if you're downloading from the same link.
posted by rtha at 11:46 AM on December 27, 2010
posted by rtha at 11:46 AM on December 27, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks but for some reason it is still going to the .exe for me. I'm in Sudan. Maybe they don't allow the Mac version here. I'll see if I can download it at work.
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 11:46 AM on December 27, 2010
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 11:46 AM on December 27, 2010
Response by poster: When I click on the link ericost provided above it quickly forwards to:
download.skype.com/partner/64/skypesetup.exe
Must be something about Sudan and the sanctions. Damn.
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 11:50 AM on December 27, 2010
download.skype.com/partner/64/skypesetup.exe
Must be something about Sudan and the sanctions. Damn.
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 11:50 AM on December 27, 2010
You could try downloading firefox and foxyproxy and changing your proxy to bypass your provider, if it is an issue with location.
posted by TheBones at 12:00 PM on December 27, 2010
posted by TheBones at 12:00 PM on December 27, 2010
Try right clicking and selecting save link as...
posted by dougrayrankin at 12:44 PM on December 27, 2010
posted by dougrayrankin at 12:44 PM on December 27, 2010
Or try a different download site? Some sites cache their own downloads instead of linking back to the source. I believe CNet is one such example. Link.
posted by thejoshu at 12:57 PM on December 27, 2010
posted by thejoshu at 12:57 PM on December 27, 2010
Response by poster: I got it, thanks folks.
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 1:37 PM on December 27, 2010
posted by Gringos Without Borders at 1:37 PM on December 27, 2010
Try http://download.skype.com/macosx/Skype_2.8.0.866.dmg which is where the getskype-macosx.dmg links eventually redirect to.
posted by xueexueg at 1:37 PM on December 27, 2010
posted by xueexueg at 1:37 PM on December 27, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by TheBones at 11:40 AM on December 27, 2010 [3 favorites]