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Have you ever seen those .CAB files on software CDs or with programs you download? They store the files that are to be installed. Have you ever wanted to create one of these files? Follow these instructions to find out how.

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Steps

  1. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 1
    1
    First, you must create a .DDF file. This is a plain text (ASCII) file. It stands for Diamond Directive File. An example one can be found here.
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  2. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 2
    2
    Load Notepad and type in the contents of the file. (See the example mentioned above for the syntax, replacing the example filename with your file name after CabinetNameTemplate and change "off" after Compress to "on" without quotes if you want compression.)
  3. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 3
    3
    Save the file as anything with the extension DDF.
  4. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 4
    4
    Open a command prompt (Start/Run/cmd)
  5. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 5
    5
    Type "makecab /f" (without quotes) and a space,and press= but don't press Enter yet.
  6. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 6
    6
    Type in the filename of the DDF file, with the full path if it is not in the current directory.
  7. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 7
    7
    Press Enter.
  8. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 8
    8
    Delete all the files that were created except for the Disk1 folder.
  9. Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 9
    9
    Move the CAB file out of the Disk1 folder and delete the empty folder.
  10. 10
    You're done!
    Create Cabinet Files in Windows XP Step 10
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Tips

  • If you do not know the full path/filename of the DDF file, instead of typing in the name, you can drag it into the command prompt window.

Warnings

  • If you have "Hide extensions for known file types" checked (the default), be sure to put the filename in quotes when you save the DDF file. Otherwise it will be saved as something like cabfile.ddf.txt!

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Article Info

Categories: XP Instructions

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Español: crear archivos Cabinet en Windows XP

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