how to open .exe file

There’s no direct means to run a Microsoft Windows executable in macOS. Your options are to install Microsoft Windows using Boot Camp (on Intel Macs only, not an option on Apple silicon Macs with M1 processors), or maybe running the app via the CodeWeavers CrossOver app, or running Windows as a guest on another server somewhere. Or finding an alternative to this particular Windows app, of course.

22cowboy wrote:

My new CPA sent me a zip file. When I opened it, it was a .exe file. He explained it's simply to make completing taxes easier.

If this message really is from the CPA: I’d be inclined to find a different CPA, and one a bit better about security. Here, by either telling you ahead that you’re going to get this tool, or by providing a download link to the CPA’s own website.

If this is not from the CPA: this is a very common technique used for phishing and ransomware. This is one way how systems get pillaged.

Sending email addresses can be trivially spoofed, too. Don’t depend on that as evidence of authenticity.

Mailing around executables is Really Hazardous, and zips and particularly zips containing exes are routinely dropped by many network firewalls.

If Im not mistaken you can run windows as a VM on M1, M1 max and M1 Pro machines. These machines can't run windows natively (because Microsoft isn't supporting windows on Apple Silicon natively and may never do), but you have a 2019 machine so you don't need to worry about that since your machine has an intel processor.

If you don't want to install windows natively there are workarounds. there are programs that can open or convert the files for you like wine or the code weavers crossover app that someone else here recommended or you could install windows as a VM (virtual Machine, that way you don't need to reboot your device to use both OS's. It basically makes windows an app and you can have it in a app "window" if you will haha, pun not intended :). This is what it looks like.

The program in this image is parallels, which is a piece of software you've to pay for. Im not sure what's available that's free apart from wine.

<< If Im not mistaken you can run windows as a VM on M1, M1 max and M1 Pro machines. >>

You ARE mistaken.

What people want to run is standard Windows 10, x86 version. That will not run.

Windows-for-ARM is currently Developer-ONLY. Not for Production.

An Aside to the issue under discussion " Hello all, I'm using monterey 12.1 on my 2019 macbook pro."

There was an update released Jan 26, 2022 to Monterey version 12.2 which brings some bug fixes and Security updates to Safari

what is this file?

.exe indicates Windows Executable. what would you want that for?

¿are you quite certain that was from your accountant, and not from somewhere else claiming to be accountant?

what EXACTLY is it supposed to be?

Rename the file mumble.zip, and see if it uncompresses, and if it has the files you expect.

option-click to select uncompress

Grant Bennet-Alder is correct, you are mistaken.