How to install CAB file on Windows 11

Use these easy steps to install or extract CAB files on Windows 11.

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@Pureinfotech
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Install CAB file on Windows 11
Install CAB file on Windows 11
  • On Windows 11, open Command Prompt and run the DISM Add-Package command to install a CAB file.
  • You can also install a CAB file using the Add-WindowsPackage PowerShell command.

On Windows 11, you can install a .cab file using Command Prompt with the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool and PowerShell commands. A CAB extension file refers to the cabinet archiving file format that can be used to store compressed files in a file library.

Typically, developers use cabinet files as part of the process of packaging app files. For example, Microsoft sometimes uses the format to distribute standalone updates for Windows 11 and other packages.

If you have a Windows 11 update in a CAB format, you can use Command Prompt or PowerShell to install packages on a computer quickly.

This guide will teach you the steps to install a cabinet file on Windows 11.

Install CAB file with Command Prompt on Windows 11

To install a “.cab” file with Command Prompt on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Start on Windows 11.

  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 with Command Prompt and press Enter:

    dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"PATH\TO\CAB"

    This example installs the update KB5012592 on Windows 11:

    dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"C:\Users\username\Downloads\Windows10.0-KB5012592-x64.cab"

    CAB install with Command Prompt

Once you complete the steps, the package contents will install on Windows 11. If this is an update, you may have to restart the device to complete the installation.

Install CAB file with PowerShell on Windows 11

To install a “.cab” file with PowerShell commands, use these steps:

  1. Open Start on Windows 11.

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

  3. Type the following command to install the CAB file on Windows 11 and press Enter:

    Add-WindowsPackage -Online -PackagePath "PATH\TO\CAB"

    This example installs the update KB5012592 on Windows 11:

    Add-WindowsPackage -Online -PackagePath "C:\Users\username\Downloads\windows10.0-KB5012592.cab"

    CAB install with PowerShell

After you complete the steps, the CAB file will install the contents on your computer.

Extract CAB file with File Explorer on Windows 11

Some developers may use this container to compress a folder to distribute specific content. 

To extract a “.cab: file on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Open the folder with the cabinet file.

  3. Double-click the “.cab” file.

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

  5. Right-click the selection and select the Extract option (Click the OK button in the warning).

    File Explorer extract CAB file

  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 apply an update, configure a driver, or install an application, depending on the contents of the cabinet file.

Install CAB file for driver update on Windows 11

If the driver package fails to install using Command Prompt or PowerShell, 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 11, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Open the folder with the cabinet file.

  3. Double-click the “.cab” file.

  4. Right-click the selection and select the Extract option (Click the OK button in the warning).

    File Explorer extract CAB file

  5. Right-click the selection and select the Extract option (Click the Yes button in the warning).

  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.

    Device Manager update driver

  11. Click the “Browse my computer for drivers” option.

    Browse CAB driver files

  12. Click the Browse button.

    Device Manager install CAB driver

  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, the driver files in the .cab container will install on Windows 11 to set up the component.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].