makecab

Makecab is a command-line utility included with Microsoft Windows that creates Cabinet (.cab) archive files using the Windows Cabinet format. Cabinet files are a container format used to distribute software components, drivers, updates, and other packages. Makecab can group one or more files into a single .cab file with optional compression.

The tool supports selecting the compression type and other options through command-line parameters or template definitions. Common compression methods associated with Cabinet files include MSZIP and LZX, with the choice affecting the size and speed of the resulting archive. Users can specify input files directly on the command line or provide a list of files through a template or an input file, depending on the Windows version and makecab configuration. The resulting cabinet is typically named after the primary input file with a .cab extension, though templates and options can influence naming and layout.

Typical usage involves providing the files to be included and, if needed, a file that lists multiple inputs or a template that controls how files are packed. For example, a simple invocation might create a cabinet from a single file, while more complex workflows may use templates or lists to organize multiple files and preserve folder paths inside the cabinet. Options can also define metadata, destination paths, or compression settings for the contents.

Historically, makecab has been used in Windows software distribution, driver packaging, and installer creation. It remains part of the toolkit for certain Windows development and deployment scenarios, even as other archiving formats have become more common for general use.