Why are .exe files showing up in OSX downloads?
 

HI. LimeWire works fine for me, but I am puzzled about why an application download would contain a zip file that contains a .exe file. Why would someone include that in a .dmg? Are these Windows viruses? Do these file contain anything important? That would be too bad, since Macs don't read .exe files.

That's right they are windows files. Not sure why people would do that unless they were wanting to share windows files to other windows users from a mac computer. Some macs can run windows also.

Personally I wouldn't trust those files. ;)

i'm aspiring to be a new limewire user, but i'm having an issue downloading the software...

from the limewire website, after clicking "Mac OS X" (i run Tiger), a window opens saying "You have chosen to open LimeWireOSX.dmg" so i say yes, save it. all i get is an .exe file on my desktop and no viable program that i can run. i've tried this probably a dozen times from different places, but all i get are blank files called Slaap9qt.exe or 2i8s76b6.exe...

hope someone can help me. :/

exe files are purely windows program files (might even be viruses.) So if you end up with exe files, they will definitely not run on mac. You got the wrong ones.

Generally best idea is to put mac or osx or mac osx in the search title. eg: iron - osx Those with mac or osx included will most likely be mac osx files. Also search .dmg & see what you come up with. :)

yes, i am aware that .exe doesn't run on mac. i am definitely not trying to download .exe, and i am searching for .dmg files even, as you say. the problem is, that the links i followed through Lime Wire » Official Website & Free Download, BitTorrent « to retrieve the Mac OS download end up with saving the .exe file to my computer, even despite saying that a .dmg file was being downloaded. same thing happened on Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews - Download.com, when my search was only trying to find files and programs compatible with mac. so either the sites are completely wrong in what they're linking to or my computer is protecting me from potentially dangerous software...? who knows.

guess i'm not meant to limewire.

When you go here Lime Wire » Download LimeWire click on Basic button, then on the Mac OS X (10.4 Tiger, 10.5 Leopard) link, not the Windows one above it.

Which OSX version are you running?

ok not trying to be mean, but last i checked, i'm not stupid :] i definitely clicked on the Mac link. i have Tiger as i said before, OSX 10.4, and these steps you outline are exactly what i did many times, resulting in only a windows compatible .exe file saving to my desktop. it even says, in the window that comes up when i click for the Mac download, that it is downloading a .dmg file, but it doesn't. no idea what is going on here.

just for sh!ts and giggles I used the link you posted..worked my way to the actual download...chose the Mac version...and got it....

I have no exact clue (though perhaps a few guesses) as to what your problem is, but you have one....

:butcher 2:

weird! why do you think i can't get it?

Use Safari to download it with. Check Safari's preferences for where it is downloading its files to. Go to that location & open the dmg file it downloads.