How to recover a .py file from PyInstaller .exe?

Question

I lost my original python code that I've been working on for months, it's packed into an .exe using PyInstaller and that's all I have.

I tried this: Exe to python with pyinstaller?

I was able to extract a file that has some of my source code in it but it's filled with all this gibberish:

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What was extracted was a file with the name of my code without the .py extension and a folder of .pyc files none of which are my code, just the dependent libraries. Can someone help me get my code back? A lot of work down the drain if I can't get it back... I feel really dumb. Thanks

Magdaleno

Looks like maybe another viable tool at github.com/countercept/python-exe-unpacker – Shiv

Thanks. I just tried it by going: python python_exe_unpack.py -i myprogram.exe, and I got an error, TypeError: extractFiles() takes 1 positional argument but 2 were given – Magdaleno

Unfortunately, I haven't personally used this program, you might try reaching out to the developer. Sorry I can't be of more help! – Shiv

Do you use onefile or onedir for packaging? (It looks like onefile) can you provide the complete file for download? – Stumpf

and provide your python version: for example, Python 3.7.7(python --version) and packages information (pip freeze) – Stumpf

I put in a pull request to fix the error you have here: github.com/countercept/python-exe-unpacker/pull/16 - The version with the fix is forked here: github.com/johnashu/python-exe-unpacker – Penetrant

Answer 1

It doesn't seem to be possible. Pyinstaller converts the .py file into binary which your computer can understand. From what I can see, there isn't a way to convert the .exe to a .py file again.

Jacquelynnjacquenetta

What you say is incorrect. It is possible to convert .exe to .py. Here - Converting .exe to .py – Toolis

Answer 2

Try using pyinstaller extractor: github link. It converts exe to py with the following command:

python pyinstxtractor.py <filename>

After you extract the pyc files, you can use a decompiler like python-uncompyle6 to get the py files. It is not guaranteed that you will get the original code, and there will be no comments, but it is the best option.

Tobacconist