Skip to main content

Build / Extract CAB from Media Table

This feature lets you create or extract cabinet (.cab) files from the Media table in an MSI. Use it when you need to inspect, update, or rebuild packaged file content.

Available actions​

  • Build CAB — Generate a new cabinet file from the files defined in the MSI.
  • Extract CAB — Unpack a cabinet file referenced in the Media table.
  • Extract All CABs — Unpack every cabinet file in the MSI at once.
  • Build All CABs — Rebuild every cabinet file in the MSI from the extracted source files.
  • Clean Database — Delete the embedded CAB files from the _Streams table so the old files are removed from the MSI before you rebuild.

Common use cases​

  • Add new files to the package.
  • Replace existing files.
  • Update file versions.
  • Inspect or recover files for troubleshooting or reuse.

How to extract a CAB​

  1. Open your MSI or MST file in Master Packager.
  2. Go to the Media table.
  3. Locate the CAB entry.
  4. Right-click the entry and select Extract CAB.

Master Packager - Build / Extract CAB from Media Table

How to update files in your MSI​

  1. Open your MSI in Master Packager.
  2. Go to the Build menu and select Extract All CABs.
  3. Browse the extracted folders next to the MSI and replace the files with their new versions.
  4. Go to the Build menu and select Clean Database to delete the old embedded CAB files from the _Streams table.
  5. Go to the Build menu and select Build All CABs to package the updated files.
  6. Save the MSI.