How to install CAB file for updates and drivers on Windows 10

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On Windows 10, you can install .cab files using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool available with Command Prompt, and here’s how. A .cab extension file refers to the cabinet archiving file format that offers an efficient way to package and compress multiple files in a file library.

Developers often use cabinet files to build their app installers, and Microsoft, for example, sometimes uses the format to distribute standalone updates for Windows 10 and other packages.

If you happen to have a Windows 10 update in a CAB format, you can use the DISM command-line tool to install packages on your device quickly.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to install a cabinet file on Windows 10.

Install CAB file using DISM command 

To install a .cab file with Command Prompt, use these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 10.

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to install the CAB file and press Enter: dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"PATH\TO\CAB"

   For example, the following command installs the update KB4562830 on Windows 10: dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"C:\Users\username\Downloads\windows10.0-kb4562830.cab"

   

Once you complete the steps, the package will install on your computer. If this was an update, you might also need to restart your computer to complete the installation.

Extract CAB file on Windows 10

Although you may have received a .cab file, it doesn’t mean you have to install it. Some developers may use the cabinet container as a compressed folder to distribute specific content.

To extract a .cab file, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Browse to the folder with the cabinet file.

3. Double-click the .cab file.

4. Select all the contents (Ctrl + A).

   .Windows_Software_Technology-Big-343 { display:inline-block; width: 300px; height: 600px; } @media(min-width: 500px) { .Windows_Software_Technology-Big-343 { width: 300px; height: 600px;} }

5. Right-click the selection and select the Extract option.

   

6. Select the folder destination to extract the files.

7. Click the Extract button.

   

After you complete the steps, you can use the files to install the application, driver, or update on the computer.

Install CAB file for driver update

If you’re installing a driver and the package fails to install using the DISM tool, you might be able to extract the contents of the CAB file to install the driver manually.

To update a driver using a .cab file on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Navigate to the folder with the achieve-file.

3. Double-click the CAB file to open it.

4. Select all the contents (Ctrl + A).

5. Right-click the selection and select the Extract option.

   

6. Select the folder destination to extract the files.

7. Click the Extract button.

8. Open Start.

9. Search for Device Manager and select the top result.

10. Right-click the device and select the Update driver option.

    

11. Click the Browse my computer for drivers option.

    

12. Click the Browse button.

    

13. Select the folder with extracted files from the CAB file.

14. Click the OK button.

15. Click the Next button.

16. Click the Close button.

After you complete the steps, Device Manager will detect and install the driver components to set up the device.