The x-ms-dos-executable decoder plugin acts as a bridge between modern operating systems and legacy DOS applications. By decoding .COM files, this plugin allows users to run DOS applications on contemporary systems that no longer natively support DOS. This is particularly useful for:

xmsdecoder analyze sample.exe --output report.json
xmsdecoder extract sample.exe --resources resources.zip
xmsdecoder preview sample.exe

A decoder plugin does not "run" the executable (which is dangerous). Instead, it:

Without this plugin, your system might display gibberish, attempt a download loop, or throw a "File type unknown" error.

"Decode EXE files safely: Introducing the application/x-ms-dos-executable decoder plugin"

The term "decoder" is a slight misnomer here. You don't decode an .exe file the way you decode a video or a compressed archive. Instead, you have one of three scenarios: