how can i open a self extracting file without it running ?

Answer 1

Depends on how the file was bundled together. Some *.exe files are actually zip files that have been packaged as self executable files. This basically means that the files will extract and install automatically...

If this is what you mean, you could download a zip file extractor like winrar, and use the "explorer" contents of the file.

However, if it is an executable that was bundled as an application... say internet_explorer.exe ... this is proprietary technology and reverse engineering is not that easy to do.

Answer 2

Try opening Winzip, Winace or Winrar, depending upon which compression format the file is in, and then browsing to the folder where your 'self-extracting file' is, and do it that way. Obviously, it makes sense to make sure the file is in a folder of it's own before you do this, otherwise you'll end up with lots and lots of little files everywhere.

Answer 3

I am not sure but try stuffit to unpack it.
On a mac there's a program called File Juicer which can extract a lot of things out of such files like pictures or audio files and zipped files and so on.

Answer 4

Sol one million: ensure the archives are completely downloded or no longer.. sol 2: the archives ought to be corrupted.. sol 3: u won't have the effective media participant to play those video codecs... attempt vlc participant, gom participant etc..