Files Sometimes A CAB ("Cabinet") file, a single compressed file that holds the configuration information and files, is needed to install an application on a computer running one of Microsoft's operating systems. Generally, when you purchase or download a user- installable program for your Pocket PC, Handheld PC, or Smartphone, you download a single "installer" file to your desktop PC. Usually, this file has the.EXE file extension on the end, but sometimes it is a compressed ZIP file, which you must un-zip to access the.EXE file.
You then connect your Windows Mobile device to your desktop PC via ActiveSync and run the installer program. This.EXE file contains within it the necessary CAB file, which it copies to your Windows Mobile device and causes the CAB file to execute. The CAB file completes the installation process.
Note that some online software vendors now offer third party programs as standalone CAB files. You can download this directly to your Windows Mobile devices, locate them with File Explorer, and tap on them to install the program in question. This bypasses ActiveSync and the desktop PC completely.
If you use CAB files (instead of ActiveSync) to load software on your Windows Mobile device, you need to keep in mind that the original CAB file disappears after you install the program. If you ever want to re-install the program, you need to make a copy of the CAB file before you install the program. For example, if you do a hard reset of your Windows Mobile device or if you buy a new device and want to install the program on it.
Use File Explorer to make a copy of the CAB file and store it somewhere safe, like on a CompactFlash or Secure Digital storage card. You might also keep a copy of the CAB file in a special folder on your desktop PC. If you store it on your PC, you might want to left-click on the CAB file, select the Properties option, and set Attributes to Read-only. This keeps the original CAB file from self- destructing after the activation process. (Based on a tip by John Ottini: www.hpcnec.com/hpcnl.htm.)