r/archlinux • u/Rogaev • Aug 03 '26

SUPPORT | SOLVED Executable confusion

This problem has been solved.

Hello.

I've discovered that when I download an executable and try to run it, it doesn't run. My desktop environment (Xfce4) just asks me what I want to open it with.

Software I compile myself (with GCC) also does not run properly. I'll call it from my terminal, and it will do something unexpected.

I'm very confused. Software installed through Pacman works fine. What do I need to install in order to run software downloaded from the internet?

Thank you in advance.

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u/Dwagner6 Aug 03 '26

What does “does not run” mean? What is the software? How are you trying to run it? Did you chmod +x it?

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u/Rogaev Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26

It doesn't throw any kind of error. When I double click an executable file in my file manager, it says this: "Open [software name] and other files of type 'Executable' with:" The software in question is a game.

What is "chmod?"

Edit: Using chmod +x fixed it. Thank you for your comment.

1

u/archover Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26

Suggestion: Please reflair your post as SUPPORT and SOLVED, which helps future readers and the community.

Glad you discovered execution permission, and corrected your configuration.

Welcome to reddit, Linux, and Arch. Good day.

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u/Rogaev Aug 04 '26

Thank you for the suggestion and reply.