Why does my PyInstaller .exe show 'ModuleNotFoundError'?

PyInstaller sometimes fails to detect dynamically imported modules. Add each missing module as a --hidden-import (this generator has a field for them). Bundled resource files must be included with --add-data using the correct separator: a semicolon on Windows, a colon on macOS/Linux.

Can I build a Windows .exe on macOS or Linux?

No. PyInstaller does not cross-compile. You must run the build on the operating system you are targeting — build the Windows .exe on Windows, the macOS app on macOS, and the Linux binary on Linux. Generate the command here and run it on the target OS.

Deployment Module

Python to EXE Generator

Generate the exact PyInstaller command and .spec file to turn your Python script into a standalone executable.

Why use this tool?

Use this generator when you need to ship a Python program to users who do not have Python installed. It builds the precise PyInstaller command and matching .spec file for a standalone executable, so you avoid the flags that trip people up most — the data-file separator, windowed mode for GUI apps, and hidden imports.

Build Options

Entry script

App name (optional)

Target OS

Bundle

Mode

Icon file (optional)

Bundle data files (one per line: source | dest)

Hidden imports (one per line)

Clean cache before build (--clean)Overwrite output without asking (--noconfirm)Disable UPX compression (--noupx)

pip install pyinstaller

pyinstaller --onefile --clean --noconfirm main.py

PyInstaller does not cross-compile — run the command on the OS you are targeting (build a Windows .exe on Windows, etc.). Save the spec as main.spec and rebuild with pyinstaller main.spec.

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About Python to EXE Generator

PyInstaller is the most popular way to turn a Python script into a single, standalone executable that runs on machines without Python installed. But its command-line flags are easy to get wrong: the --add-data separator differs between Windows (a semicolon) and macOS/Linux (a colon), GUI apps require --windowed to hide the console, and undetected modules cause a 'ModuleNotFoundError' at runtime unless you add --hidden-import.

This tool builds the exact pyinstaller command for your configuration — one-file or one-folder bundle, console or windowed mode, a custom icon, bundled data files, and hidden imports — and generates a matching .spec file for reproducible, version-controlled builds.

Important: PyInstaller does not cross-compile. To build a Windows .exe you must run the command on Windows; for a macOS or Linux binary, run it on that platform. Generate your command and spec here, then run them on your target operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Install PyInstaller with 'pip install pyinstaller', then run 'pyinstaller --onefile your_script.py'. This tool builds the complete command with the right flags for you — one-file mode, a custom icon, windowed mode for GUI apps, and any data files or hidden imports your app needs — plus a matching .spec file.

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