.PEX File Extension

A PEX file may also be an executable file used exclusively within the ProBoard bulletin board system (BBS). It contains machine code compiled from source code written in C/C++ and is designed to execute specific functions or features within the ProBoard BBS environment. The PEX format is uncommon, as the ProBoard BBS software, which was popular in the early 1990s, is no longer widely used.

ProBoard BBS users and administrators commonly created PEX files to extend the functionality of their bulletin board systems. Developers used the ProBoard software development kit (SDK) to write and compile programs as PEX files. These applications allowed BBS hosts to customize their systems, adding unique features or adjusting existing functionality to meet their community's needs.

NOTE: PEX files are typically small, often not exceeding 50KB in size.

You can open PEX files with ProBoard, a bulletin board system software designed for DOS. Since ProBoard is a DOS-based program, you may need an emulator, like DOSBox, to run it on modern operating systems. Once you have ProBoard running in the emulator, you can execute the PEX file within the ProBoard environment.

A PEX file may also be the compiled, binary version of a Papyrus script (.PSC file). It contains commands that, when triggered, cause an event to occur in a The Elder Scrolls or Fallout video game, such as Skyrim or Fallout 4. Skyrim and Fallout 4 modders have created tools that allow them to examine, edit, and add to the games' PEX files.

Papyrus is a scripting language Bethesda created for use in their The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series of video games. Papyrus scripts, which are typically written in PSC source code files and compiled to PEX binary files, are used to control in-game logic and trigger in-game events. Many Elder Scrolls and Fallout games contain Bethesda-developed PEX files.

Because Bethesda has given players access to the Papyrus scripting language, players who want to modify the PC versions of Skyrim and Fallout 4 can create their own Papyrus scripts and use them to customize the games' behavior. To do so, modders must:

1. Write and save their script as a source code file (usually a PSC file).
2. Use a Papyrus compiler to compile their script to a PEX file.
3. Place the PEX file in Skyrim or Fallout 4's data/​scripts folder.

If a modder wishes to modify the script an existing PEX file contains, they must first decompile the file to its editable, source code form.

You can use either Champollion (Windows) or PEXInspector (Windows) to decompile a PEX file to a PSC file. Then, you can open and edit the PSC file in any text or source code editor, such as Microsoft Visual Studio Code (cross-platform).

How do I compile a PSC file into a PEX file?

You can use the Papyrus Script Manager, which is included in the Bethesda Creation Kit, to compile a PSC file into a PEX file. Anyone who owns a PC copy of either Skyrim or Fallout 4 can download the Creation Kit from either Steam or the Bethesda.net Launcher.

To compile a PSC file to a PEX file:

1. Place your PSC file in your game's data/scripts/source folder.
2. Open the Creation Kit and select Gameplay → Papyrus Script Manager.
3. From the dropdown list that appears, select and right-click your PSC script.
4. Select Compile.

A PEX file may also be an exhibit file created by West Publisher, a discontinued software application designed for organizing and presenting digital exhibits in legal proceedings. It contains digital artifacts, such as documents, photos, and other media, for use in court hearings. Legal professionals utilize PEX files to manage evidence and exhibits effectively, ensuring that the materials are readily accessible and organized for presentation.

West Publisher creates PEX files by capturing digital artifacts through its interface, allowing users to compile and organize exhibits efficiently. Once compiled, users can distribute PEX files individually or bundle them into a .PTZ file for comprehensive distribution. This flexibility in packaging ensures that legal teams can choose the best method for sharing files with colleagues or presenting them in court.

You can open PEX files with West Publisher, but the software is discontinued. West E-Transcript Bundle Viewer can also open PEX files.

A PEX file may also be a replay created by PopCap Games Peggle Extreme, a puzzle game. It stores gameplay data recorded during a completed level, allowing players to review or share their performance. Instead of saving a video, the file records game state information, such as ball movement, peg hits, and timing, which the game engine can use to accurately recreate the original playthrough.

You can open PEX files with PopCap Games Peggle Extreme in Windows. To open a PEX file with the game, select REPLAYS from the main menu, choose the replay, and click PLAY. The PEX format is specific to Peggle Extreme, and it is incompatible with other Peggle versions or general video playback software.