If you have a slow Windows PC or your hard disk is always full of files, you may be overwhelmed with a flood of CAB files. It’s not a dangerous system component, but Windows CAB files taking up space, and thus slow down your computer.
Today, I will explain what CAB files are, why you need them, and how Windows removes cab files and free up space on your hard drive to speed up your computer.
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Part 1: About Windows CAB Files
Part 2: How to Remove Windows CAB Files
- Method 1: Delete CAB Files from Windows Temp Folder
- Method 2: Remove Windows CAB Files via Settings
- Method 3: Get Rid of Windows CAB Files Using a Batch File
- Method 4: Remove Windows CAB Files with Command Line
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Final Words
Part 1: About Windows CAB Files
1.1: What Is Windows a CAB File?
CAB, or an abbreviation for Cabinet file, is a manner of Windows compressing installation files, updates, and system data inside an archive. The most useful part of this format is that it compresses large amounts of data into smaller, more manageable files that are easier to transfer and store. Most users use them during system updates or while new software is installed.
1.2: Are CAB Files Dangerous?
CAB files in Windows Temp are inherently safe, and they are part of system operations that include updates and installations. However, they can be a problem because they tend to stick around after the update or installation processes are finished. They are not a security risk, but their accumulation will unnecessarily consume large amounts of disk space. So, you can delete CBS logs.
1.3: Can You Delete Windows CAB Files?
CAB files are safe to delete, as long as you delete them from files you don’t want to keep, such as those in the Windows Temp folder. These files are residual and once their first use is done they are no longer needed. But they can be removed to free up space and possibly make a system run better. And of course, you can’t do any Windows logs CBS process until system updates and software installations are completely done.
Part 2: How to Remove Windows CAB Files
In Windows 7, 10 or Server 2008, unnecessary Windows temp CAB files server 2008 files can accumulate over time. Here are some effective methods for removing these files:
Method 1: Delete CAB Files from Windows Temp Folder
This manual process involves navigating to the Temp folder and deleting the CAB files in Windows Temp directly:
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To do this simply press Win + E or type File Explorer in the search bar.
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Type C:\Windows\Temp in the address bar and press Enter. It will take you directly to the folder where temporary files are stored.
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Files with a .cab extension are what you should be looking for. These are the files in the Cabinet you can delete.
To select multiple files, click on each CAB file while holding the Ctrl key or press Ctrl + A to select all files. To delete permanently files selected, right click on the files and select Delete or press Shift + Delete.
Method 2: Remove Windows CAB Files via Settings
Windows provides a built-in feature to help manage and delete temporary files. Here is how you can Windows remove CAB files Windows 10:
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Press Win + I to launch the Settings menu.
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Go to System and then click on Storage.
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Toggle the switch under Storage to turn it On, then click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
Check the box next to “Delete temporary files that my apps aren’t using.” You can also specify how often you'd like to clear your Recycle Bin by adjusting the deletion period.
Method 3: Get Rid of Windows CAB Files Using a Batch File
For users who prefer a set-and-forget method, creating a batch file to automate the deletion of CAB files can be very handy. Here is how you can Windows remove CAB files Windows 7:
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Open Notepad and type the following script:
@echo off
runas>nul
echo Removing archives Temp…
del /f C:WindowsTemp*.*
echo Fixing Windows!!!
del /f C:WindowsLogsCBS*.log
echo Done!
pause
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Now save the script.
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Save the file with a .bat extension, for example, DeleteCABFiles.bat, by selecting All Files in the "Save as type" dropdown menu and adding .bat at the end of the filename.
Right-click the batch file and select Run as administrator. This will execute the script and delete all CAB files from the Temp folder automatically.
Method 4: Remove Windows CAB Files with Command Line
For those comfortable with command-line tools, the Command Prompt offers a direct and effective way to manage system files, including deleting CAB files:
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Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter. You can also Search for “Command Prompt” and click on “Run as Administrator.”
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In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter after each command:
cd %temp%
dir
del *.cab These are the CAB files under C:\Windows temp. This command will delete all CAB files from the Temp folder. Ensure you want to proceed as this action is irreversible through normal undo processes.
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Conclusion
It shouldn’t be stressful if your Windows cannot access removable disk, but sometimes errors such as “Access Denied” can be thrown a curve ball. The good news is, if you follow the solutions laid out above, from checking your connections to reassigning drive letters to using powerful tools like CHKDSK, you can always resolve the problem without losing your precious data.
If you’re in a pinch, remember to try each solution methodically, and before you go and format your drive, give the other fixes a shot. Fingers crossed that these steps will allow you to get your files back in no time.
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