How Can I Run Unmanaged Executables (like notepad.exe) from Memory?

Run unmanaged executables from memory

Loading and executing executables from memory is a complex task, especially for unmanaged executables like notepad.exe or calc.exe. Let’s explore the differences and how to resolve this issue.

Unlike .NET executables, which benefit from library and runtime support, unmanaged executables require significant manual labor to prepare for execution. This includes simulating the behavior of the Windows loader to handle the following tasks:

• Loading a PE (Portable Executable) file: Identifies entry points and allocates memory for code and data segments.
• Relocations and Fixes: Adjust memory addresses in the executable to match its new in-memory location.
• Execution entry point: Initializes the executable's environment and calls its entry point.

For an in-depth guide to these steps, see the resources linked in the answer to the question.

However, if your goal is just to run a specific executable like notepad.exe or calc.exe, consider using a simpler approach:

• Process.Start: Use this method to execute the executable from disk, avoiding the complexity of in-memory execution.
• Write to temporary file: If your executable is embedded as a resource, extract its contents to a temporary location and execute it from there. This method is less efficient but simplifies the process.

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