decompressing an .exe file on a MacBook Pro

I believe there are some archive programs that have the ability to create self-extracting archives. E.g., executables that, when run, unpack and uncompress a bunch of files.

I've seen claims that with some self-extracting files, you can

• Change the extension from .exe to .zip, then double-click the file, or
• Go into Terminal and run unzip on the file

I don't think there's any guarantee that you can access all self-extracting archives like this. And there isn't a point in trying if the .EXE file contains just a random Windows application instead of a self-extracting archive.

ldw453 wrote:

It was an Office install that I just purchased with my new MacBook Pro.

Microsoft Support – Download and install or reinstall Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 on a PC or Mac

exe is Windows executable. it has no purpose on a Mac.

it is not compressed. It is intended to run an a Windowes PC.

what file is this? why would you need to open it on a Mac?

Where did you purchase it? You purchased the Windows version, not the Mac version. (Or downloaded the Windows version instead of the Mac version).

Create a Windows virtual machine on your Mac (UTM, Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion). After that, you can run and extract content from .exe file.

<< I believe there are some archive programs that have the ability to create self-extracting archives. E.g., executables that, when run, unpack and uncompress a bunch of files. >>

in general, such files intended for a Mac are tagged as .sea files (self-extracting archive). If they were, they would self-unpack when double-cllcked on most Macs.