How to extract cab file from exe ? - General Questions and Answers

hi !
Most of our software are .exe files to be run from a PC and to be installed then on the PPC.
When one wants to perform a HR away from PC, it is then hard to quickly re-install all apps.
Having cab files stored in the SD card is the solution but what to do when no cab files are available only exe ?
My question is then the following : is there a possibility to extract CAB files from .exe files ?
Thx in advance

Hi,
Often the .exe is just a self extracting archive which you can open with winrar
doesn't always work, just right-click on the .exe en choose open with winrar...
also, when you try to install an exe file, the .cab is extracted and moved to you phone, that means you should be able to find the cab somewhere and copy it...
most of the time in \program files\microsoft active sync\(appname)
also, when you install an app, some of them ask you where to install it on your pc, in that directory you can find the cabs you need
now I'm just looking for a program that can make an cab installer that can be run on my phone and installs every cab to SD...
I found one, but it doesn't work... teksoft airwizard 1.1...
Bartus

at times one can also just rename it from .exe to .zip

yes copy from activesync folder is possible but i have the same problem only with this difference. On my working computer i have administrator rights and folder Program files is blocked for me. I need a program to extract cab form exe. WinRar does not work. Sorry for my bad english

well try this: after cab transferred to your device, don't install it (and don't cancel!!) , go to Windows\AppMgr , and see if a folder with the name of that program exists with a cab file in it ...
now I'm just looking for a program that can make an cab installer that can be run on my phone and installs every cab to SD...
I found one, but it doesn't work... teksoft airwizard 1.1...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try SettingsSaviour ... it has a silent install feature with which you can install many cabs at once, downside is silent isntall can't be used to install programs on SD, you'll have to manually choose Storage Card for each program...

Very comprehensive explanations ... thanks to all of you ! I gonna try and report if any further problems.
--------------------------------------------
After trying to change the extension of the .exe, I have to report that it works with one of the files I wanted to CABized.
To MODO : do I need to stamp this thread as SOLVED ?

Bonusbartus said:
Hi,
Often the .exe is just a self extracting archive which you can open with winrar
doesn't always work, just right-click on the .exe en choose open with winrar...
also, when you try to install an exe file, the .cab is extracted and moved to you phone, that means you should be able to find the cab somewhere and copy it...
most of the time in \program files\microsoft active sync\(appname)
also, when you install an app, some of them ask you where to install it on your pc, in that directory you can find the cabs you need
now I'm just looking for a program that can make an cab installer that can be run on my phone and installs every cab to SD...
I found one, but it doesn't work... teksoft airwizard 1.1...
Bartus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I did to keep installed cab files was I created a new folder in my storage card and named it "CABS", then I did a registry tweak to where the cab file was not deleted after installation. Now whenever I download a cab file, I "save as", CABS folder(from the dropdown box) on my storage card.

DR400 said:
hi !
Most of our software are .exe files to be run from a PC and to be installed then on the PPC.
When one wants to perform a HR away from PC, it is then hard to quickly re-install all apps.
Having cab files stored in the SD card is the solution but what to do when no cab files are available only exe ?
My question is then the following : is there a possibility to extract CAB files from .exe files ?
Thx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wants to mention a "universal" unpacker called UniExtract - http://legroom.net/software/uniextract - it can extract many .EXEs made by install tools. Also - check out MSCEInf - which can analyze an CAB-file - http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/msceinf.shtml

Are you able to open a exe file on your device? 90% of the programs I like have exe files and I always get not a valid pocket pc application. I've even tried to rename exe to cab or zip, but doesn't work. The file extension being downloaded is shaded out in the file type box in the download dialog box and cannot be changed. I've tried programs to convert exe files to other extensions, but all they do is convert after the downloaded exe files have already been installed.

hotdog53 said:
Are you able to open a exe file on your device? 90% of the programs I like have exe files and I always get not a valid pocket pc application. I've even tried to rename exe to cab or zip, but doesn't work. The file extension being downloaded is shaded out in the file type box in the download dialog box and cannot be changed. I've tried programs to convert exe files to other extensions, but all they do is convert after the downloaded exe files have already been installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats because they are exe files that are supposed to be run on a normal PC. You download the exe to a PC, then when you have your Phone connected via Activesync, run the exe and it will install on your phone.
Alternativly, use WinRar on your PC to extract the exe, and copy the .cab files to your phone, then open them. (this does not always work, not all exe files are extractable)

DR400 said:
hi !
Most of our software are .exe files to be run from a PC and to be installed then on the PPC.
When one wants to perform a HR away from PC, it is then hard to quickly re-install all apps.
Having cab files stored in the SD card is the solution but what to do when no cab files are available only exe ?
My question is then the following : is there a possibility to extract CAB files from .exe files ?
Thx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My solution is:
1) keep PDA disconnected (no active sync session)
2) install exe as usual and, when standard installation dialog will appear, go on (later cab installation will begin when you'll connect phone to pc)
3) open regedit.exe
4) go to this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows CE Services\AppMgr\Apps
5) there you'll find a list of installable cabs via active sync
6) under each application, the value ListCabFiles is the name of cab file and the value InstallDir is its position of file system.
Remember to uninstall exe after you copy/move the cab file (or delete application key) otherwise installation of cab files will start on next activesync session!!
Simple, do you agree?

yeh... sure i cant use activesync, so i just extract the exes seems easy enough

mugglesquop said:
thats because they are exe files that are supposed to be run on a normal PC. You download the exe to a PC, then when you have your Phone connected via Activesync, run the exe and it will install on your phone.
Alternativly, use WinRar on your PC to extract the exe, and copy the .cab files to your phone, then open them. (this does not always work, not all exe files are extractable)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use a program called pocketRAR like winRAR but for mobile win -extract files- get cab and run its that easy just did it with this calc.exe

Knocksock said:
Just wants to mention a "universal" unpacker called UniExtract - http://legroom.net/software/uniextract - it can extract many .EXEs made by install tools. Also - check out MSCEInf - which can analyze an CAB-file - http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/msceinf.shtml
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have just used uniextract to unpak my Pocket informant, I think this utility will be a life saver for all those files that i can't get as CABS. I have a lot of problems with active sync but can easily transfer to SD card with card reader or WM5Storage.
Thanks you so much

exe programs which use activesync
always get cabs from the install programs
if just renaming the exe to zip don't let you extract the cab file manualy
an installation on a pc without a pda connected to active sync would leave the cab files somewhere so next time the pda is connected the cabs can be transfered
search for *.cab and find the one you're looking for on the computer

Ran the .exe, found the cab, copied it.
Thanks.
Oh and UniExtract looks like a great program so I'll probably be using that next time.

NOT ALL
Not all the apps can run on the SD... thats for sure
but always you can... use setingsaivour BTW you can edit some cabs that arent sign trusted or only read with cab manager and edit the cab to apply the default installation or tell it that you dont want to choose set default main or SD... save it and tadaaaa!
I always do that... change .exe to .rar or .zip see inside extract the cab and copy it to my Cab folder on sd... always edit the sd config... and run the User customization !

this is not only easy, but it works flawlessly,
thanks

why don't you try 7zip for pocket pc? is the best way and quick cuz you ccan estract your cab files right on your ppc
just go to menu and extract, works for executables for windows

Bonusbartus said:
Hi,
Often the .exe is just a self extracting archive which you can open with winrar
doesn't always work, just right-click on the .exe en choose open with winrar...
also, when you try to install an exe file, the .cab is extracted and moved to you phone, that means you should be able to find the cab somewhere and copy it...
most of the time in \program files\microsoft active sync\(appname)
also, when you install an app, some of them ask you where to install it on your pc, in that directory you can find the cabs you need
now I'm just looking for a program that can make an cab installer that can be run on my phone and installs every cab to SD...
I found one, but it doesn't work... teksoft airwizard 1.1...
Bartus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to get off subject but teksoft is just one way. I know there is a nother and I can't remember where it was, but I'll keep looking for the cab install program and let you know where it is or provide a link, if I find it.

Related

Stupid folders/shortcuts whens installing .exe

Hi,
Some programs for Windows Mobile come in .exe and not .CAB. So when I install the .exe on my computer it install the program on my smartphone (htc s730). when when i install the .exe on my computer, many folders (under program file etc.) are created. also shortcuts are created in the start on my computer. all this is really annoying. it trashes my computer.
how can i install .exe programs without all those stupid things installing on my computer? i love CAB but hate EXE
thanks
First look at the homepage of the program. Many software sompanies also releases standalone cab's.
Try extracting files from the exe installer (using WinRAR) and you may get the cab (only works with some installers).
Make a collection of your programs yourselfs. Before the installation of the program on the device is finished, the cab is copied to Windows\AppMgr\Install. So just get it from there.
Okay that's good help-
I thank you moneytoo

Extracting CABS from EXE files

How does one go about extracting the CAB file from a desktop installation EXE file so I can have it with me when I want to Hard Reset ?
When you run setup.exe a folder is created in %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft ActiveSync\ with the cab's
If you unplug your device from ActiveSync, run setup.exe, click start - run and type %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft ActiveSync\ (and press return), locate the new folder, copy the cab file to somewhere else, delete the folder, connect the device to ActiveSync, copy the cab to your storage card and your all set
There is also a program called Universal Extractor that unpacks most stuff - Google it
U can use universal extractor in some cases, or after runnig exe on PC files can be found smwhere in async directory, or it creates folder for itself in Program files (both on PC). Or after it starts installing, dont click anything ad search for *.cab. AFAIK it should work (expcept few apps)
FileJuicer
Filejuicer works for Macs. It is a good program for us mac users to get cab files out of .exe. www.filejuicer.com
I use this program but it doesn't work with all the EXE files. It worked 7 out 10 of the files that I tried to extract the CAB. Give it a try.
Wow ALL great ideas ands methods.
I was able to grab them from the active sync folder.
Duh I should have thought of that I have done that on the other end ( ppc) but not desktop.
Thanks

Getting CAB file from EXE setup...???

hey ppl,,
is there a way to get the cab file from a EXE setup..
i have many EXE install file on my phone.. but i cant install them by phone.. they can be only installed on PC..
i want to get the CAB file from inside them.. and put into my phone. then isntall on PDA..
how can i do that???
Try opening the file on your PC with either WinZip or WinRAR, you may find the CAB somewhere inside.
The other way is to run the install on your PC and before you connect your PDA search the PC for the CAB file and copy it somewhere safe.

Extracting CAB file from PC .exe installer

I tried searching, found this thread:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=310788&page=2 but it's not answering my question.
My Kaiser came with SPB GPRS Monitor and Sprite Backup. Both came as an installation disk (exe format) to be installed through a PC. Now, I'm looking at a way to make CAB for carrying both so that anytime I do a hard reset or reflash ROM, I can re-install both without using PC. Looking at the thread, I tried opening up the .exe and able to get the Cab files (there're 2, named 1 and 2 for each setup executable extracted), but copying the Cab and running it on my Kaiser won't work.
Is there any way? I try avoiding using 'cracked' cab apps .. I have it as bundled for the Kaiser, there should be a legit way for me to have it as cabs ..
There is a way.
run the installer from your PC. when the installation screen comes up asking you to choose between storage card and device, DONT CHOOSE. instead, run a file manager and search for the cab file. it usually goes either in windows/appmgr or in application data/volatile
What if in this case, it doesn't ask, it immediately says check your WM device, there's further instruction.
Second question: is the search done on the PC or the WM?
I'll definitely give it a try .. and thanks!
if u got activesync installed on your PC, run the exe files and find the .cab files on program files/microsoft activesync folder
semoga berhasil
Thank you. Terima Kasih Will give it a try
the cab file doesn't always appear on your PC.. but it does always appear on your PPC
look for it in your PDA when it tells you to look for further instructions..
WinRAR (rarlabs.com) is free and will extract most files from EXE installer archives. However, if WinRAR won't then UniversalExtractor will. You can search for it on google and download a demo.
THANK YOU
Thanks to all who has responded.
I managed to find the CAB files under PC's respective folders (Some are under Active Sync, some like Holux, created it's own folder). Tested some of the CABs found there and it worked. Now I'm a happy camper, got all of the CABS that I need (especially GPRS Monitor )
Last question:
the cab file doesn't always appear on your PC.. but it does always appear on your PPC
look for it in your PDA when it tells you to look for further instructions..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Under which folder I should be looking? I tried TEMP but it's empty (that's before I confirming the install process)
nir36 said:
There is a way.
run the installer from your PC. when the installation screen comes up asking you to choose between storage card and device, DONT CHOOSE. instead, run a file manager and search for the cab file. it usually goes either in windows/appmgr or in application data/volatile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always do this to extract cab files from a exe installer and most of the time the cab file can be found at windows/appmgr/install
very useful and a serious time saver
Sticky or Wiki?
Thanks again for responses. I'm able to get what I need and believe this can be put as part of FAQ, Wiki or Sticky?
Sticky no.. but i will add it to the guides thread soon..

Nooby .cab question.

Ok, please excuse me and this question. I'm a At&t Tilt, Treo and iPAQ user.
I'm new to this forum and I have an issue.
When I download a file, for instance: Risidoro_Intent_MIDlet_Manager_11.1.7.1023.cab.zip
I open it with WinRar and Extract to my desktop
inside the new folder is _setup.xml and a bunch of different files that say stuff like 00CAB10D.004
How do I install these?
When I open _setup on my Tilt or on my PC I get a script that opens up in Internet Explorer.
Thanks a bunch,
Alan
You don't install them.
Windows Mobile installer files are in cab format
to install just copy the cab file itself to your device and run it thru your PDA's file explorer
Still confused, what do I open?
Theres around 10 files and when I open them they say something like open this with an application.
And when I open _setup it shows me a script.
unzip the ZIP file so you get a file.CAB (DON'T exctract the CAB).
drop the cap into your device and double click it..

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