Reference number: CH000363

Extracting files from the Windows cabinets.

Issue:

Extracting files from the Windows cabinets.

Additional information:

The Windows cabinets are files that end with the .cab extension and are the essential files needed for the Windows installation as well as to install additional windows software and/or files onto the computer at a later date.

Users attempting to extract non windows files should refer to document CH000506.

Cause:

It may be necessary to need to extract files from the Windows cabinet files to resolve a missing file issue or a corrupt file issue.

Solution:

Because of the differences in the various versions of Windows, follow only the instructions for your version of Windows to help prevent confusion.

Introduction

Before extracting any files from the cabinets, ensure that the below information is known.

Below is a listing of commonly used or needed extract lines and a short description to what the line will do.  A listing of all of extracts switches and additional information can be found on our extract command page.

extract /d c:\windows\options\cabs\win95_02 - Utilizing the /d switch will list the contents of the win95_02 cabinet.

extract /a /d c:\windows\options\cabs\win95_02.cab mmsystem.dll - Utilizing the /a and /d switch will locate the mmsystem.dll by searching win95_02.cab and beyond.

extract c:\windows\options\cabs\win95_10.cab mmsystem.dll /l c:\windows\system - Knowing which cabinet contains a particular file, you can use this command to extract file(s). The /l switch is used to specify the location to where you want the file to be placed once extracted.

extract /a c:\windows\options\cabs\win95_02.cab mmsystem.dll /l c:\windows\system - Using the /a switch searches cabinets 02 and beyond for mmsystem.dll. Once located, the file would be extracted from the appropriate cabinet and then placed into the c:\window\system directory. The location of the cabinet may vary on your computer.

Windows 98 / Windows ME users

Tip: Users who are using Windows 98 or Windows ME can double-click the cabinet which contains the file which they need and simply copy and paste that file from that cabinet.

Tip: Users who are using Windows 98 or Windows ME can search the directory that has the cabinet files and within the Find: All Files dialog box type the name of the file they are looking for in the box 'Containing Text'. Additional information about find can be found on document CHFIND.

Tip: Users who must restore Windows files in MS-DOS and are using Windows 98 or Windows ME can use the Windows Extract Command Line Helper Tool by typing ext when booting from the Windows 98 or Windows ME startup diskette.

Windows 98 / Windows ME users can use the Windows System File Checker Tool to extract files by following the below steps.

1. Click Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools / click the System Information icon.
2. From the Tools drop down menu select System File Changer.
3. Specify the system file that you would like to restore and click Start.

Windows ME Users who receive extract file error because of protected files.

Receiving the below error when attempting to extract Windows ME files.

Extract File
The specified file is protected and may not be copied or deleted.

To bypass this error follow the below steps:

1. Click Start / Programs / Accessories / System Tools / click the System Information icon.
2. From the Tools drop down menu select System Configuration Utility.
3. Click Extract File
4. In the Extract one file from installation dialog box type the name of the file that you wish to extract, and click start.
5. In the Restore from box, type the location of where the cabinets are located.
6. In the save in box type c:\
7. Click ok, and then click yes to create a folder for the extracted file.
8. Drag the new extracted file from the new location to the location where the file needs to be.
9. Reboot the computer.