May 14, 2019 Scenario. In Windows 10, the official way to install Language package is via Settings- Time & Language - Region & Language - Add Language, which is also the securest and easiest way to get new language package. The following way is to install language package manually via CAB file. Note: This method is for limited network access computers, failed Windows update and so on.
CAB or Cabinet files are compressed files that store data related to various system based installations on a Windows PC. These can also be related to the updates to the OS as well as a driver update. The compression here is based on lossless compression. These .CAB files are also referred to as Diamond Files. They behave in a similar way to .ZIP files. The reason behind this is that they both use Quantum, LZX or DEFLATE compression algorithms to compress the contents inside them. It can hold up to 65,535 CAB folders. It is usually executed by an installer built into Windows 10. This installer extracts they files stored in the Cabinet Archive and executes them one by one. The main recognition of these authentic Cabinet files lies in the first 4 bytes. If you open any authentic CAB file as a text file with your text editors like Notepad or Visual Studio Code, you will see MSCF being the first four letters.
We have earlier seen how to extract CAB File using command line tools, now let us see how to how to create or install Cabinet files on Windows 10.
How to create a CAB File in Windows 10
Creating a CAB file in Windows 10 is not much of a task. There is a program that comes with Windows 10 called as makecab.exe. Now, when you enter commands like,
in the Windows 10 Command Prompt, you will be able to take advantage of the makecab.exe.
With the command given above, the JPG Image stored inside C:files is moved inside of a file called program.cab inside the same path.
How to install a CAB file on Windows 10
There are two methods by which one can install CAB files on Windows 10. The first one uses using the context menus and the second one involves the usage of Command Prompt.
1: Using the Context Menus
This method is fairly simple.
All you need to do is Select the Cabinet File and then Right click on it.
When you see the context menu popping out, just click on Install which is the second option from the top.
Follow the prompts on the screen and you are done.
2: Using the Command Prompt
Start by opening the Command Prompt with Administrator level rights.
Now, type in the following command,
Here, replace <PATH> with the original path of the file.
For example, C:UsersAyushDownloadsCABnew.cab
Now, hit Enter.
If prompted, Reboot your computer by entering Y and then hitting Enter again.
Now, your Cabinet File is executed.
If curious, you can learn more about the Microsoft Cabinet Format at the Microsoft Cabinet Format documentation on MSDN.
TIP: Learn how to to add Install CAB item to the Context Menu.
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Though not often, from time to time, Microsoft redistributes Windows updates and other software system and first-party software in .cab files. If you've encountered CAB files, here's how you can install CAB file in Windows 10.
In case you don't know, .cab or cabinet is a simple file extension that is mainly used to compress files in a file library and store them. Typically, most developers including Microsoft use this file format for its efficient compression methods. Additionally, just like the regular zip files, large CAB files can be split into multiple files to make transferring easy.
Without further ado, let me show you how to install .cab files in Windows.
Steps to Install CAB Files in Windows
You cannot install a CAB file by double-clicking on it. Rather, you have to use the DISM tool.
1. First, open the start menu, search for 'Command Prompt', right-click on it and select 'Run as administrator' option.
2. In the Command Prompt window, use the below command. Relace the dummy path with the actual path of the CAB file.
How To Manually Install A Cab File Windows 10
for example, if the .cab file is located in the root of D drive, the command with look something like this.
For 64-bit users only
If you are on a 64-bit Windows 10 system and receiving an error while using the above command or if the Command Prompt is trying to run the 32-bit version on DISM tool, use the below command. Again, don't forget to replace the dummy path with the actual path of the CAB file.
That is all. It is that simple to install CAB files in Windows 10. If you are stuck or need some help, comment below and I will try help as much as possible.
If you like this article, you might also like to learn how to install Linux subsystem in Windows 10.