COM Executable — A .com file is a COM Executable. It is an executable format containing machine code that runs directly on the operating system.
Quick facts
What is .com
A .com file is a COM Executable. It is an executable format containing machine code that runs directly on the operating system.
In the mime-db registry it maps to application/x-msdownload. When serving .com over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to application/x-msdownload and is used by DIGITAL Command Language among others — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .com files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: application/x-msdownload
Common software that reads/writes .com:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Related programming languages
Common uses
How to edit .com files
How to create .com files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include File Explorer, Terminal, xattr. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .com extension.
application/x-msdownload is the media type identifier used for .com files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
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