Open-The-File.com

Find how to open any file type

.CAB file extension

To open .CAB files on Windows, extract with the built-in tool: open Command Prompt and run: expand "C:\path\file.cab" -F:* "C:\path\output\".

To open a .CAB file, treat it as an archive: extract its contents rather than trying to “run” it. On Windows, you can extract .CAB files with the built-in EXPAND command; on macOS/Linux you’ll typically need an archive tool that supports Microsoft CAB or use a Windows machine.

HomeExtension IndexSystem in indexSystem category page

Last updated: April 29, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

How to open .CAB files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .CAB files safely.

Windows

  1. Extract with the built-in tool: open Command Prompt and run: expand "C:\path\file.cab" -F:* "C:\path\output\"
  2. If you only need one file, use: expand "C:\path\file.cab" -F:filename "C:\path\output\"
  3. If it’s part of an installer/update, consider using the software or Windows Installer workflow that provided it rather than manually extracting.
Full Windows guide

Mac

  1. If your Mac doesn’t recognize it, treat it as a Windows archive and use a third-party archive utility that explicitly supports Microsoft CAB.
  2. If you can’t extract it on macOS, transfer the .CAB to a Windows PC and extract it using the EXPAND command.
Full Mac guide

Linux

  1. Try extracting with a tool/package that supports Microsoft Cabinet archives (CAB) available for your distribution.
  2. If extraction fails or the CAB is part of a Windows installer bundle, move it to a Windows system and use EXPAND to extract.
Full Linux guide

iOS

  1. iOS typically won’t natively extract CAB archives; save the file to Files, then transfer it to a Windows PC and extract it there (for example with EXPAND).
Full iOS guide

Android

  1. Android support varies by file manager/archive app; if you can’t find an app that explicitly supports CAB extraction, transfer the file to a Windows PC and extract it using EXPAND.
Full Android guide

Security notes

  • CAB files are archives and can contain executable files (EXE/DLL/scripts) that may be unsafe if sourced from untrusted downloads; extract first and review contents before running anything.
  • Be cautious with CAB files that are meant to be consumed by installer/update mechanisms (for example Windows Installer scenarios): using files out of context can lead to misconfiguration or accidental execution of unwanted components.
  • Like any complex archive format, CAB parsers can have vulnerabilities; prefer built-in or well-maintained extraction tools (for example Microsoft’s EXPAND on Windows) for untrusted files.

Recommended antivirus software

Scan files before opening them. These antivirus tools help protect against malware and viruses.

Avast

Avast offers free and premium antivirus software that protects against viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing. Scan files before opening them to ensure safety.

Norton

Norton 360 delivers comprehensive antivirus protection, VPN, and identity theft monitoring. Scan files for threats before opening to keep your device secure.

We may earn a commission when you use affiliate links. This supports our free file extension guides.

Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .CAB files fail to open.

Common reasons

  • The .CAB file won’t extract or reports errors
  • Double-clicking doesn’t open anything (or opens the wrong app)
  • You extracted files but don’t know what to do with them

Fix steps

  1. Re-download the CAB from the original source and confirm the file size matches what the source expects.
  2. Try extracting on Windows using EXPAND, which is commonly compatible with CAB variants used by Windows workflows.
  3. If it came with an installer/update package, use the associated installer process rather than manually extracting the CAB.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .CAB file?

A .CAB file is a Cabinet archive, a Microsoft format for compressed “file libraries” that can contain multiple files. Many CAB files start with the magic bytes "MSCF". The registered MIME type is application/vnd.ms-cab-compressed.

Background

CAB (Cabinet) is a Microsoft archive format designed for packaging multiple files into a single compressed container. It is widely used in Windows software distribution and servicing workflows, including Windows Installer scenarios where components are delivered as compressed cabinets.

In practical use, you’ll most often encounter .CAB files as part of installers, driver packages, Windows updates, or application deployment bundles. A CAB file typically isn’t something you “open to view” like a document; instead, you extract the contents and then use the extracted files (such as .dll, .inf, or other installer resources) as intended.

Because CAB files can contain executable content (for example, installers or binaries), they should be handled like any other downloaded archive: inspect what’s inside before launching anything. If a CAB file won’t open, it’s often due to it being incomplete, corrupted, or intended to be consumed by a specific Windows setup/installer process rather than manually extracted.

Common MIME types: application/vnd.ms-cab-compressed

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .CAB format.

Common .CAB issues

The .CAB file won’t extract or reports errors

This often happens when the download is incomplete/corrupted or the CAB is part of a larger installer set and not meant to be handled alone.

  1. Re-download the CAB from the original source and confirm the file size matches what the source expects.
  2. Try extracting on Windows using EXPAND, which is commonly compatible with CAB variants used by Windows workflows.
  3. If it came with an installer/update package, use the associated installer process rather than manually extracting the CAB.

Double-clicking doesn’t open anything (or opens the wrong app)

CAB is an archive/container, and your system may not have a default handler for it (especially on non-Windows platforms).

  1. On Windows, extract from Command Prompt using EXPAND instead of relying on double-click behavior.
  2. On macOS/Linux, install an archive utility that explicitly supports Microsoft CAB, or transfer the file to Windows for extraction.

You extracted files but don’t know what to do with them

CAB files commonly contain installer resources (DLLs, INF files, MSI-related payloads) that are intended for Windows deployment/installation workflows.

  1. Look at the extracted filenames and extensions to identify the next step (for example, documentation for the software/driver/update you downloaded).
  2. If the CAB was obtained as part of a Windows Installer or system component workflow, follow the vendor/Microsoft installation instructions rather than manually running random extracted files.

FAQ

What is the MIME type for .CAB files?

The registered media type is application/vnd.ms-cab-compressed.

Can I open or extract CAB files with Windows without installing extra software?

Yes. Windows includes the EXPAND command, which can extract files from cabinet (.cab) files.

Is a .CAB file the same as .ZIP?

No. CAB is Microsoft’s Cabinet format with different structure and tooling. It’s commonly used in Windows installer and system distribution workflows.

Can I convert a file to .CAB by renaming the extension?

No. Renaming only changes the filename; it does not convert the file format. You must create a CAB using a tool/workflow that outputs the CAB format.

Similar file extensions

Compare related formats in the same category to find the right tool faster.