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How to use a CAB file in File Explorer?

Anonymous
2022-11-11T08:28:57+00:00

Hi, I do get a lot of downloads which are .CAB files, the majority is obviously .ZIP, although I heard .CAB is just like .ZIP, but how do I use a cab file in file explorer? Like how do I extract files from it? I tried to search in the internet for like 30 minutes already, but I don't think these results do satisfy me.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. DaveM121 869.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2022-11-11T09:38:22+00:00

    Hi Abdulqadir,

    There are many free utilities available online like the one on the link below that can open/extract CAB files, though usually CAB files do not need to be opened, those game files are usually installed as CAB files and the game itself uses the files inside the cab files.

    https://www.nchsoftware.com/zip/index.html

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  1. Ramesh 176.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-11-11T09:49:03+00:00

    Hi Abdulqadir,

    Windows has built-in support for CAB archives. All you need to do is double-click on the CAB file, select the files, right-click on the selection, and click Extract.

    There are other options to extract a CAB archive, such as using the Expand.exe console tool or using a third-party archiver like 7-Zip. Please check out Methods 2, 3, and 4 on this article page. (ignore the page title)

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-11-11T10:10:25+00:00

    Thanks, this is exactly what I needed. Worked for me.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-11-11T09:32:16+00:00

    Hi Dave,

    There are 2 reasons why I would need .CAB files.

    First reason isn't important one, and is relevant to my curiosity. For example, whenever a Windows Update is about to get installed, it puts its CAB files into the SoftwareDistribution folder, and to find out like how much space would that Windows Update take out on my hard drive, or what functions are gonna be added, I might have to look at the CAB file. I don't need to install, I just need to look what files are in the CAB file. With regards modifying the CAB file itself in this reason, there's nothing relevant to this.

    Another reason is important, whenever I try to download additional files relevant to the game for example, for some reason some people make their download links to download a CAB file instead of zip. I don't know why people do this honestly, just for a single additional piece to the game. Out of 200+ downloads relevant to a game, I did have only 3 CAB files downloaded. I did assume CAB is another way to compress data, and indeed it is, but I don't know how to use them. Sometimes opening a registered file extension that I've never used before might do damage to the system. Speaking about these 3 CAB files, I haven't opened them.

    So my question is, how can I just extract files from a CAB file to the destination folder I want? I don't need to install.

    Can you please provide a screenshot of the file structure of the software you are trying to install.

    Here it is:

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  3. DaveM121 869.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2022-11-11T09:02:59+00:00

    Hi Abdulqadir,

    I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    Cab files are installed through Command Prompt using dism, Kapil provides the steps on the link below.

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    However, it depends on the cab files, usually if it is a 3rd party software, there should be an installer file that will automatically extract and install the software from the accompanying cab files.

    Can you please provide a screenshot of the file structure of the software you are trying to install.

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