Run Cab Files
Cab files, also known as cabinet files, are files that Microsoft Windows has stored on your computer and compressed to an extreme maximum capacity. To run cab files is to extract the files so you can either use the files, or replace files that have become corrupt or missing on your computer system. In some cases, you may be required to run the cab files from your original Windows installation disk in order to restore corrupt or missing cab files on your hard drive. Cab files are used in a variety of Microsoft programs; such as Device Installer, Windows Installer, Setup API, and more. Continue reading this article to learn how you can extract, or run cab files on your Windows computer.
Contents
[hide]Steps
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
- Access the "System Configuration Utility" program.
- Click on the "Start" menu of your Windows desktop. In Windows 7, the Start menu will appear in the form of the Windows logo.
- Select "Run." If you are using Windows 7, type "Run" into the search box within the Start menu, then select "Run" when it appears in the search results.
- Extract, or run, the cab file.
- Type "msconfig" next to the "Open" field of the Run box, then press the "OK" button.
- Select the option for "Expand File," then enter the name of the cab file you want to run next to the field for "File to Restore."
- Enter the path for the cab file you want restored next to "Restore From," or locate the path on your computer by clicking on the "Browse From" button.
- Enter the path that you want the cab file extracted to in the "Save File in" box. You can also click on the "Browse To" button to find the folder you want the cab file extracted to.
- Click on the "Expand" button to run the cab file, then click on the "OK" button when the System Configuration Utility box reappears on your screen. In some cases, you may be prompted to restart your computer.
Windows Millennium
- Open the "Run" program. From the Run program, you can open the System Configuration Utility menu.
- Click on your computer's "Start" menu, then select "Run" from the list of options.
- Run your cab file.
- Enter "msconfig" into the Run program, then press the "Enter" button on your keyboard.
- Click on the "General" tab within the System Configuration Utility menu, then select "Extract File."
- Specify the path for the cab file you want restored by typing it into the field provided, then click on the "Start" button.
- Click on the "Browse" button to locate the original cab file on your computer. Depending on your version of Windows Millennium, your original cab files will either be located within the Install folder of Windows, or on the installation disk that was provided with your computer at the time of purchase.
- Select the "OK" button after you have located the cab file you want to run, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the file extraction process.
Windows 98
- Access the System File Checker tool.
- Open your "Start" menu, then select "Run" from the list of options provided.
- Enter "sfc" into the Run box, then press the "Enter" key.
- Extract the cab file.
- Select "Extract one file from installation disk," then enter the path destination for the cab file you want extracted.
- Click directly on the "Start" button within the System File Checker, then click on the "Browse" button to locate the exact cab file you want to run. In some cases, you may be required to insert your Windows 98 installation disk if the cab file is not stored on your computer's hard drive.
- Click on "OK" after you have selected the cab file, then follow the instructions provided on the screen to complete the cab file extraction procedure.
Things You'll Need
- Installation disk (Windows Millennium and Windows 98 only)
Tips
- The Expand option is not available in Windows 7 Ultimate.
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