.CAB File Recovery

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .CAB file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

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What is a .CAB file?

A CAB file is a Windows Cabinet file saved in an archive format native to Microsoft Windows that supports .ZIP, Quantum, and LZX data compression algorithms. CAB files contain compressed data and is used for Windows software installations such as system files, network components, and device drivers.

What Are Common Causes of ".CAB" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".CAB" files lost or failure:

  1. File corruption: ".CAB" files can become corrupted due to various reasons, such as system errors, power outages, or improper shutdowns. When the file gets corrupted, it may become unreadable or inaccessible.
  2. Virus or malware infection: If a computer is infected with a virus or malware, it can cause damage to ".CAB" files and lead to their loss or failure. The malicious software may delete, modify, or corrupt the files, making them unusable.
  3. Accidental deletion: Human error, such as accidental deletion of ".CAB" files, is another common cause. It can happen when a user mistakenly deletes the files or formats the storage device containing the files without proper backup.
  4. Software or hardware issues: Problems with software or hardware components can also result in ".CAB" file loss or failure. This can include issues like software crashes, conflicts, or errors, as well as hardware failures or malfunctions.
  5. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as file system corruption or bad sectors on the storage device, can cause ".CAB" files to be lost or become inaccessible.
  6. Improper file handling: Mishandling of ".CAB" files, such as forceful ejection of storage devices, improper file transfers, or interruptions during file operations, can lead to file loss or failure.
  7. Software updates or upgrades: Sometimes, when updating or upgrading software applications, ".CAB" files may be overwritten, deleted, or become incompatible with the new version, resulting in their loss or failure.

It is important to regularly backup important ".CAB" files to prevent loss and take necessary precautions to avoid the above causes.

How to recover lost ".CAB" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".CAB" file may be deleted.

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".CAB" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".CAB" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".CAB" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".CAB" files, and select analysis type.

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

How to open file with ".CAB" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Cabinet File image file file?

Programs that open ".CAB" files

Windows
File Viewer Plus
Microsoft Windows Installer
Corel WinZip 23
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe for Windows
Microsoft System Configuration Utility
WinRAR 5
7-Zip
WinInizio ZipGenius
IZArc
Mac
Corel WinZip Mac 7
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe 16
Incredible Bee Archiver
The Unarchiver
Linux
cabextract

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Cabinet File

  • File extension: .CAB

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: System Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: application/vnd.ms-cab-compressed

  • HEX: 4D 53 43 46 00 00 00 00

  • ASCII: MSCF

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Comments (1) #

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:39 #

    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .CAB files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!

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Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

What is a .CAB backup file and how does it work?

A .CAB backup file is a file format used for storing compressed files and folders. CAB stands for Cabinet, which refers to the way the files are organized and stored within the file.

The purpose of a .CAB backup file is to create a compressed archive of files and directories, making it easier to store and transfer multiple files as a single entity. It is commonly used for software installations, where multiple files need to be packaged together.

To create a .CAB backup file, a compression utility is used to compress the files and folders into a single archive. This compression reduces the overall file size, making it more efficient for storage and transmission. The compression process typically involves removing redundant information and using various algorithms to compress the data.

Once the .CAB backup file is created, it can be easily transferred or stored. To access the files within the .CAB backup, it needs to be extracted or decompressed using a compatible utility. This process reverses the compression, restoring the original files and directories to their original format and location.

Overall, a .CAB backup file is a compressed archive used for storing multiple files and folders, making it easier to manage and transfer data.

How can I create a .CAB backup of my files and folders?

To create a .CAB backup of your files and folders, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt

  • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type "cmd" and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

Step 2: Navigate to the directory where you want to create the .CAB file

  • Use the "cd" command to navigate to the desired directory. For example, if you want to create the .CAB file on your desktop, type: cd Desktop

Step 3: Create the .CAB file

  • In the Command Prompt, type the following command:

makecab /D "CabinetName1=c:pathtofiles" /F "c:pathtofilesfilelist.txt"

Replace "CabinetName1" with the desired name for your .CAB file.

Replace "c:pathtofiles" with the actual path to the directory containing the files and folders you want to backup.

Replace "filelist.txt" with the name of a text file that contains a list of the files and folders you want to include in the .CAB file. Each file or folder should be on a separate line.

Step 4: Press Enter to execute the command

  • After entering the command, press Enter to create the .CAB file.

The Command Prompt will create a .CAB file in the specified directory, containing the files and folders listed in the filelist.txt file.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using .CAB backup compared to other backup formats?

Advantages of using .CAB backup compared to other backup formats:

  1. Compression: .CAB files use compression algorithms to reduce the size of the backup, saving disk space and reducing storage requirements.
  2. Portability: .CAB files can be easily transferred and shared across different systems and platforms, making them convenient for data migration or transferring backups to different locations.
  3. Integration: .CAB files are natively supported by Windows operating systems, ensuring compatibility and ease of use for Windows users.
  4. Incremental backups: .CAB files support incremental backups, allowing users to back up only the changes made since the last backup, resulting in faster backup times and reduced storage requirements.

Disadvantages of using .CAB backup compared to other backup formats:

  1. Limited cross-platform compatibility: .CAB files are primarily designed for Windows systems and may not be compatible with other operating systems, limiting their use in heterogeneous environments.
  2. Lack of encryption: .CAB files do not provide built-in encryption features, which means sensitive data within the backup may be vulnerable to unauthorized access if not encrypted separately.
  3. Limited file size: .CAB files have a maximum file size limit of 2 GB, which may be insufficient for large backups or when dealing with large files.
  4. Single-file structure: .CAB files are stored as a single file, making it difficult to selectively restore individual files or folders from the backup without extracting the entire archive.
  5. Slower backup and restore speeds: The compression and decompression process of .CAB files can introduce additional processing overhead, resulting in slower backup and restore speeds compared to other formats that do not use compression.

It's important to consider these advantages and disadvantages in relation to your specific backup requirements and the systems you are using before deciding on the most suitable backup format.