This tutorial will show you how to add Install to the context menu of .cab files for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
A cabinet is a single file, usually with a .cab extension, that stores compressed files in a file library. The cabinet format is an efficient way to package multiple files because compression is performed across file boundaries, which significantly improves the compression ratio.
You can use the DISM /Add-Package command with Windows cabinet (.cab) files to install or remove updates, service packs, language packs, and to enable or disable Windows features.
This DISM command can be used to make installing a Windows Update CAB file easy with a single click in the CAB file context menu.
If you have the .cab file extension type associated to open with a third party app (ex: 7Zip, WinZip, WinRAR, etc...) by default, the Install context menu item added from this tutorial will not show until you restore the default association for the .cab file type.
You must be signed in as an administrator to add, remove, and use the Install context menu for CAB files.
The context menu in this tutorial will not work to install Realtek HD audio drivers from a .cab file. For that, see: Install Realtek CAB file in Windows
EXAMPLE: Install CAB context menu
When you right click on a .cab file, you will need to click/tap on Show more options first, then click/tap on Install.
Here's How:
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
(Content of .reg file for reference)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CABFolder\Shell\RunAs]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CABFolder\Shell\RunAs]
@="Install"
"HasLUAShield"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CABFolder\Shell\RunAs\Command]
@="cmd /k dism /online /add-package /packagepath:\"%1\""This is the default setting.
(Content of .reg file for reference)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CABFolder\Shell\RunAs]4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
If you used step 2 and still do not see Install in the context menu of .cab files, then:
1) Download and merge the .reg file for cab in the table of option two in the tutorial here (click on link) to restore the default association for .cab files.
2) Merge the .reg file here in step 2 again.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
