Expand
Updated: April 17, 2012
Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Expands one or more compressed files. You can use this command to retrieve compressed files from distribution disks.
Syntax
expand [/r] <source> <destination>
expand /r <source> [<destination>]
expand /i <source> [<destination>]
expand /d <source>.cab [/f:<files>]
expand <source>.cab /f:<files> <destination>
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
/r |
Renames expanded files. |
source |
Specifies the files to expand. Source can consist of a drive letter and colon, a directory name, a file name, or a combination of these. You can use wildcards (* or ?). |
destination |
Specifies where files are to be expanded. If source consists of multiple files and you do not specify /r, destination must be a directory. Destination can consist of a drive letter and colon, a directory name, a file name, or a combination of these. Destination file | path specification. |
/i |
Renames expanded files but ignores the directory structure. This parameter applies to: Windows Server® 2008 R2 and Windows® 7. |
/d |
Displays a list of files in the source location. Does not expand or extract the files. |
/f: |
Specifies the files in a cabinet (.cab) file that you want to expand. You can use wildcards (* or ?). |
/? |
Displays Help at the command prompt. |
Remarks
Using expand at the Recovery Console
The expand command, with different parameters, is available from the Recovery Console. For more information about the Recovery Console, see article 314058 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.