CAB File

What are CAB files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CAB file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your CAB files.

What is a CAB file?

CAB files have multiple uses, and Microsoft Cabinet Archive is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Microsoft Cabinet Archive

Files that contain the .cab file extension are archive files. The "CAB" in the file extension stands for the word "cabinet", which is about the nature of these files.

CAB files take multiple files and store them in a single archive file. The CAB file format allows for the files' compression so that the "cabinet" file size is much smaller than it would be if each file were stored or transmitted individually. This makes it much easier to transmit large batches of files over the Internet or via email.

Many Microsoft applications use the CAB file format for their installation engines, such as the Setup API, Device Installer, and Windows Installer applications.

How to open CAB files

We have identified five CAB openers that are compatible with this specific type of CAB file.

Programs that open Microsoft Cabinet Archive files

Last updated: February 24, 2023

All known file formats using extension .CAB

While Microsoft Cabinet Archive is a popular type of CAB-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .CAB file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

InstallShield compressed Archive

This type of CAB file is a proprietary type of compressed archive used by early versions of the InstallShield software installation software.

InstallShield packages all files related to a software program, from the executable files themselves to image files, and bundles them together into an easy to distribute package. CAB files are compressed archive files, meaning they contain multiple files that have been reduced in size to save distribution costs.

We have not yet verified any programs for Windows that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about CAB file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.