py2exe is a specialized build tool and library designed to freeze Python scripts into standalone Windows executables (.exe). It supports console applications, GUI applications, and Windows services. The architecture consists of a Python package (py2exe) that analyzes dependencies and bundles code, combined with C-based runtime stubs (MemoryModule, run.exe, etc.) that embed the Python interpreter and execute the frozen script from memory or disk. The primary entry point is the `py2exe.freeze()` API, which replaces the deprecated `distutils`/`setup.py` interface. It relies heavily on `pefile` for binary analysis and `setuptools` for packaging. The tool is actively maintained, supporting Python versions 3.10 through 3.14. It features a robust hook system for handling complex third-party packages like NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib. The codebase demonstrates high craftsmanship in its C integration for memory-based DLL loading and dependency scanning, making it a critical tool for distributing Python applications on Windows without requiring a Python installation.