What is the XEX file format?
.xex files are used by the Xbox 360 game console developed by Microsoft. Also known as a Xenon Executable or XEX2 file, the format was introduced with the console's launch in 2005 and remained the sole executable container throughout the Xbox 360's lifespan.
.xex files are used to store video games or applications for the Xbox 360 console. The main executable on a game disc or inside a .god package is typically named default.xex. Every .xex file begins with the four-byte ASCII magic XEX2 at offset 0 and wraps a PowerPC PE image that has been LZX-compressed and AES-128-CBC encrypted; an RSA signature lets the console verify image integrity before execution. Game assets - textures, audio, levels - are stored separately from the .xex itself, on the disc or in the enclosing package.
In contrast to its predecessor, the .xbe format, .xex files are compressed and encrypted, which means that accessing a .xex file manually can be a complex endeavor. Unlike .xbe, which was supported by PC emulators relatively early, .xex files could not be run on Windows until the open-source Xenia emulator matured; today Xenia can load a .xex directly or boot a full game .iso. In practice, working with .xex files outside a real console still requires dedicated tools such as Velocity for inspection and repacking. Editing .xex files is no easy task, even for advanced users with relevant knowledge and access to specialized equipment.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMA .xex is native executable code, so treat unknown ones with care: only run XEX files from games you legally own, since a malicious or modified XEX on a console could be harmful, and pirated game files are a common malware/legal hazard. On a PC the file can't execute by itself (Windows can't run PowerPC code) - it only runs inside Xenia. Stick to the official Xenia source (xenia.jp / the official GitHub); avoid 'xex player'/'xex to exe' download portals, which are typically scams or adware. Emulation is legal only with your own console and games.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open XEX files
Windows2 apps
Xenia
Open-source Install Xenia (the Canary build for best compatibility), then File > Open and select the .xex or the game's ISO. Needs Windows 10 1903+ and a Vulkan/D3D12 GPU.
Velocity (XEX/STFS toolkit)
Open-source Open the .xex to inspect its headers/metadata (title ID, regions) - an analysis tool, not a way to play the game. 
Linux1 app
Xenia (via Wine/Proton)
Open-source Run the Windows Xenia build under Wine/Proton and load the .xex or ISO; native Linux support is limited, so Wine is the common route. Technical details
deep spec| Magic bytes | `XEX2` (0x58 0x45 0x58 0x32) at byte offset 0 |
| Byte order | Big-endian (PowerPC architecture) |
| Base executable format | Wraps a PowerPC PE (Portable Executable) image compiled for the Xenon CPU |
| Compression | Optional LZX basefile compression (raw or delta-compressed sections) |
| Encryption | AES-128-CBC; basefile encrypted with a title key that is itself wrapped using the console's retail or devkit master key |
| Integrity verification | RSA-signed image hash; the console refuses to load tampered or unsigned retail images |
| CPU target | IBM PowerPC "Xenon" - three symmetric cores at 3.2 GHz |
| Typical executable size | 1 MB - 30 MB (assets stored separately on disc or in the enclosing package) |
| Encoding | Binary |
| MIME type | `application/octet-stream` |
| Devkit magic variants | Early or devkit images may start with `XEX1`, `XEX-`, or `XEX?` instead of `XEX2` |
| Conventional entry-point filename | `default.xex` - standard name for a game's main executable on disc or in a GOD package |
| Header directory | Optional sections encode imports, exports, TLS info, region lock, media type flags, and title ID |
| Image type flags | Module flags in the XEX2 header distinguish title executables, system modules, and patch images |
| Released | 2005 (with the Xbox 360 console launch) |
| Latest version | XEX2 (the format version used throughout the Xbox 360's life) |
| Specification | free60.org |
XEX conversions
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