Cabinet (.cab) File Overview
Other versions of this page are also available for the following:
.gif "A checkmark indicates that the information in this topic is relevant for this platform, and that any API listed is also supported on this platform.")
.gif "A checkmark indicates that the information in this topic is relevant for this platform, and that any API listed is also supported on this platform.")
8/28/2008
Cabinet (.cab) files are used to package updates, such as new DLL files, for delivery.
For All Platforms
The .cab file that you create by running a utility called the CAB Wizard can copy files, apply registry settings, or run custom code during install and uninstall operations by including a Setup.dll file with your setup.
To create a .cab file, you must first create an information (.inf) file that the CAB Wizard (Cabwiz.exe) uses to determine the configuration of the contents of the .cab file. This results in the creation of an unsigned .cab file.
The CAB Wizard can optionally compress .cab files to make downloads run more efficiently. These files are compressed by means of the MSZIP compression algorithm. After the .cab files have been copied to a target device, the CAB Installer automatically decompresses the .cab files and extracts their contents.
For Windows Embedded CE
**To install an update onto a target device, the run-time image on that device must support SYSGEN_WCELOAD.
For more information about creating an .inf file, see Information File. For more information about the CAB Wizard, see CAB Wizard.**
For Windows Mobile
**The .cab file that is created by the CAB Wizard contains an XML setup file called _setup.xml, which contains installation instructions for the contents of the .cab file. This enables installation of the .cab file on Windows Mobile powered devices. It also contains a binary instruction file that enables backward compatibility with previous versions of Windows Mobile.
Note
CAB files and the Registry Configuration Service Provider fail if a registry value is set outside the range of signed integers.
You can provide a more secure method of packaging and delivering applications by signing .cab files with Authenticode certificates. Signed applications can also be revoked. For more information, see .cab File Signing Requirements.
For information about the mechanisms that are available for installing applications on devices using .cab files, see Delivering Applications.
In This Section
- .cab File Signing Requirements
Describes the requirements for signing a .cab file to install an application.
Related Sections
- ** Information (.inf) File Overview **
Describes the information (.inf) file that is included in a .cab file for an installation package.
- Optional Setup.dll Files for Installation
Describes how to add an optional Setup.dll file when you create a cabinet (.cab) file.