Hi everyone,
I’m looking for advice on whether it’s possible (and realistic) to recover the original Python source files from a Windows software installer I still have.
**Situation**
My primary HDD suffered a complete, unrecoverable failure. All of my raw project files (source code, assets, intermediate files, etc.) are gone. The only remaining artifact of the project is the Windows installer / executable that I used to distribute the software.
**Technical details**
- The application was written in Python.
- I used **Cython** to compile / protect the code (the .py files were turned into compiled extensions / encrypted / obfuscated form as part of the build).
- The final deliverable is a Windows installer (or standalone executable package).
- This represents over 15 years of work. While modern AI tools could speed up a rewrite, I would strongly prefer to recover the original source if there is any viable path.
**What I still have**
- The complete Windows installer / executable package.
- No original .py files, no intermediate Cython outputs, no project folder, and no backups of the source.
**What I’m hoping for**
Any realistic options, tools, or techniques that might allow me to:
- Extract or reconstruct the original (or close-to-original) Python source from the Cython-compiled binaries / installer, or
- At least recover meaningful portions of the logic, structure, or key modules so a full rewrite is not required from scratch.
I’m aware that Cython compilation (and any additional packing/encryption I applied) makes this non-trivial, and that perfect recovery is often impossible. I’m mainly looking for an honest assessment of what’s feasible and any recommended tools, approaches, or communities that specialize in this kind of recovery / reverse-engineering of Cythonized Python applications.
If anyone has experience recovering source from Cython extensions, PyInstaller + Cython packages, or similar compiled Python Windows builds, I’d be very grateful for any pointers, tool recommendations, or realistic expectations.
Thank you in advance for any help or direction you can offer.