What Is a CAB File & How to Recover Deleted CAB Files?

Can deleted CAB files be recovered?

Losing CAB files can disrupt your workflow, especially if these files are part of software installations or system updates on Windows systems. How to recover deleted cab files in Windows 10/11?

Fortunately, there are several ways you can recover these files, from quick fixes like checking the Recycle Bin to more advanced solutions like using specialized recovery software like MyRecover. Scroll down for the corresponding 3 easy methods to recover deleted or lost CAB files on your computer.

Important! If you lose your CAB files, keep the following in mind:

• Immediately avoid using the drive where your CAB files are stored.
• Do not add new files to your storage devices.
• Avoid reformatting the drive where your CAB files are stored.
• Do not save the recovered files to the original location.

What is a CAB file?

CAB, short for Cabinet, is a file format native to Microsoft Windows and mainly used for archiving and compressing files. CAB files are commonly used to package software distributions and updates, making them common during software installations, especially as they pertain to Windows operating systems.

How to Recover Deleted CAB Files Effortlessly (3 Ways)

Here are 3 easy methods to recover archive files such as CAB files. Among all the methods to recover deleted CAB files, it is recommended to use archive file recovery software like MyRecover to recover deleted CAB files or other archive files like ZIP or RAR files as this method is the most effective .

Method 1. Recover deleted CAB files from Recycle Bin

The first method is to recover deleted files from Recycle Bin. If you have not emptied the Recycle Bin, chances are you will find deleted CAB files there.

>> Open the Recycle Bin and locate your CAB file. Right-click on it and select Restore.

Method 2. Recover Deleted/Lost CAB Files with MyRecover (Hot)

For most users, finding powerful CAB file recovery software like MyRecover is the easiest way to recover deleted, lost, or unsaved CAB files, especially if those files are not stored in the Recycle Bin. It can help you recover deleted or lost files from storage devices like HDD, SSD, USB drive, SD card and more.

• Recover various archive files like CAB, ZIP, RAR, ZIPX, TAR, 7Z, ACE and other compressed files.
• Advanced scanning methods: Quick scan and deep scan help you find all deleted and lost files on the selected drive.
• Apply to various data loss scenarios: accidental deletion, accidental formatting, system crash, software error, virus infection, etc.
• It allows you to filter and view files by file type, size, date, etc. to save time and energy.

Download and install MyRecover for easy CAB file recovery! To attempt.

Step 1. Run MyRecover on your computer. Hover over the drive where your deleted or lost CAB files are stored. Then click Scan.

Step 2. It automatically scans your drive to locate all recoverable data. You can use the search box or filter function to quickly find CAB files.

Step 3. You will see a list of files that MyRecover found on your drive. Select your CAB files by clicking Recover X Files and choose a new location to save the recovered files.

Method 3. Recover Deleted CAB Files Using File History

File History is a built-in Windows feature that automatically backs up files such as documents, pictures, videos, music, compressed files, and folders on your desktop after you enable File History. Enabling File History allows you to restore previous versions of files/folders from restore points and file history. Here are the simple steps to recover CAB files.

Step 1. Type file history in the search box and open Recover your files with File History.

Step 2. Select Recover Personal Files.

Step 3. Select the CAB files you want to recover and click on the green Recover button.

How to install/open/extract/convert a CAB file?

CAB files are compressed archives often used by Windows for software installations and updates. Here's how to install, open, extract, and convert CAB files on different platforms.

How to install CAB files on Windows 10?

Installing CAB files in Windows may require some additional steps beyond running the installer. Here are three simple methods to help you install CAB files:

Method 1: Using the command line

1. Search for "cmd" in the Windows search bar, right-click on the Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator."

2. Type the command dism /online /add-package /packagepath:"PUT-CAB-FILE-PATH-HERE" and press Enter. Find the path of the CAB file by navigating to the folder in Windows Explorer and copying the address from the address bar.

3. Wait for the command to run and the installation to complete.

Method 2: Using File Explorer

1. Navigate to the CAB file using File Explorer.

2. Right-click on the CAB file, select 'Extract' and select a destination for the extracted files.

3. After extracting, you can run or install the files according to your needs.

Note: Many CAB files are part of larger software updates or installations that contain .msi or .exe files. In these cases, running the attached installation file will automatically process the contents of the CAB file.

How to open CAB files?

Cabinet files (CAB) are fully supported by Windows, so you don't need any special software to open them there. Just double-click the CAB file and Windows File Explorer will display its contents.

For macOS or other systems, you'll need a third-party tool to open CAB files. Some options include:

• 7-Zip for Windows
• Unarchiver for macOS
• WinZip for Windows and macOS
• ZDevs ZArchiver for Android

How to extract CAB file?

You can extract the CAB file using Windows Explorer:

1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the CAB file. Double-click the CAB file.

2. Press "Ctrl + A" to select all the content inside. Right-click on the selected content and select "Extract".

3. Select the destination folder for the extracted files. Press "Extract" to complete the process.

How do you convert a CAB file?

There are no special programs for converting CAB files, but you can use online converters. Some popular ones are zamzar.com, cloudconvert.com, fileproinfo.com, anyconv.com.

How to prevent CAB file loss?

If your CAB files are permanently deleted, you can look for professional data recovery software such as MyRecover to get them back with ease. We also provide you with some tips to avoid losing CAB files.

• Regular Backups: Regularly backup your CAB files to different storage media. This includes external hard drives, USB sticks or online cloud storage services. You can try this acclaimed free backup software for Windows AOMEI Backupper Standard to ensure the safety of your data.
• Use multiple storage options: don't rely on one backup. Keep backups in at least two different locations to reduce the risk of loss due to hardware failure or other problems.
• Update your security software: Keep your antivirus and anti-malware software up to date to protect your files from threats that can damage or delete them.
• File version control: If you regularly change CAB files, consider using a version control or file history tool. That way, if a file is lost or damaged, you can revert to a previous version.
• Physical Security: Provide physical security for your storage devices, especially if they are portable. Keep them in a safe place to prevent damage or theft.

Last words

In this post, you now know comprehensive information about CAB files. Recovering deleted CAB files is possible with the right approach, whether it involves immediate actions like checking the Recycle Bin, using free and advanced file recovery software like MyRecover, or using Windows File History. Always maintain regular file backups to minimize data loss and ease recovery processes.