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Cabinet (.cab) File Overview (Windows Embedded CE 6.0)

  • Article

1/6/2010

Cabinet (.cab) files are used to package updates, such as new DLL files, for delivery.

The .cab file that you create by running a utility called the CAB Wizard can copy files, apply registry settings, or run custom code during install and uninstall operations by including a Setup.dll file with your setup.

To create a .cab file, you must first create an information (.inf) file that the CAB Wizard (Cabwiz.exe) uses to determine the configuration of the contents of the .cab file. This results in the creation of an unsigned .cab file.

The CAB Wizard can optionally compress .cab files to make downloads run more efficiently. These files are compressed by means of the MSZIP compression algorithm. After the .cab files have been copied to a target device, the CAB Installer automatically decompresses the .cab files and extracts their contents.

**To install an update onto a target device, the run-time image on that device must support SYSGEN_WCELOAD.

For more information about creating an .inf file, see Information File. For more information about the CAB Wizard, see CAB Wizard.**

You can provide a more secure method of packaging and delivering applications by signing .cab files with Authenticode certificates. Signed applications can also be revoked. For more information, see .cab File Signing Requirements.

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Concepts

CAB Wizard
Information File
Optional Setup.dll Files for Installation