Run the following command: pkgbuild --identifier com.user.appname --root /path/to/your/folder --install-location /Applications appname.pkg
If you are transitioning from a Windows-centric environment to managing devices, or if you are using an MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution like Intune or Kandji, you’ve likely hit a wall: EXE files don't run on macOS.
Test the newly created .app bundle to ensure the application runs correctly on macOS. Step 2: Convert the .app Bundle to a .pkg File convert exe to pkg
Once you have a functional macOS .app bundle, you can compile it into a deployable PKG file using the native macOS terminal. Open the Terminal application. Run the pkgbuild command using the following syntax:
If you are an IT administrator looking to deploy software to a fleet of Macs using a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution like Microsoft Intune, Jamf, or Kandji, you rarely convert a Windows EXE directly. Instead, you locate or build the macOS equivalent and package it into a .pkg format. Run the following command: pkgbuild --identifier com
Because the underlying architectures and operating system APIs differ completely, you cannot simply change the file extension from .exe to .pkg . Instead, "converting" means the Windows executable alongside a compatibility layer (like Wine) or creating a native macOS installer package that deploys macOS-compatible versions of the software. Primary Use Cases for EXE to PKG Conversion
Sometimes, a compatibility layer isn't the best answer. Here are two other routes: Open the Terminal application
How to Convert EXE to PKG: A Comprehensive Guide for Admins and Power Users
Method 2: Mobile Device Management (MDM) Engine Wrapping (Best for Enterprise IT)
Use Wineskin Winery to create a blank wrapper app.