If you’ve downloaded a Windows update or drive file in the .cab file format extension, here’s how you can install a CAB file in Windows 10 & 11
Though not often, Microsoft redistributes Windows updates and first-party software in .cab file format from time to time. If you’ve encountered CAB files, here’s how to install a CAB file in Windows 10 and 11.
Table of contents:
What is the .cab file format?
Cabinet, also known as CAB or .cab, is a simple file extension mainly used to compress and store files in a file library. Typically, most developers, including Microsoft, use this file format for its efficient compression methods. In addition to that, the CAB file format also allows splitting large files to make file transfer easy.
Without further ado, let me show you how to install .cab files in Windows.
How to install CAB files in Windows 10 & 11
Unlike the regular EXE and MSI files, you cannot install a CAB file directly. i.e., by double-clicking on it. Instead, you must use the DISM command to install the .cab file. It sounds complicated, but it is really easy. Let me show you how.
- Press the “Start” key.
- Search for “Command Prompt.”
- Right-click on “Command Prompt.”
- Choose the “Run as administrator” option.
- Run the below command while replacing the dummy path with the actual CAB file path.
DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"X:\path\to\file.cab" - With that, the CAB file is installed in Windows 10 and 11.
- You can close the Command Prompt window.
Steps with more details:
First, open the start menu, search for “Command Prompt,” right-click on it and select the “Run as administrator” option. You can also select the same option on the right panel of the Start menu.
After opening the Command Prompt window, run the below command. Replace the dummy path with the actual path of the CAB file.
DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"X:\path\to\file.cab"For example, if the .cab file is located in the root of the D drive, the command looks something like this.
DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"D:\myfile.cab"For 32-bit users only
If you are on a 32-bit Windows 10 system and receiving an error while running the above command or if the Command Prompt is trying to run the 64-bit version on the DISM tool, use the below command.
Again, don’t forget to replace the dummy path with the actual path of the CAB file.
"C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Dism.exe" /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"X:\path\to\file.cab"—
That is all. It is that simple to install CAB files in Windows 10 and 11 operating systems.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
If you like this article, you might also want to learn how to install the Linux subsystem in Windows 10 & 11.
