Understanding CAB Files: What They Are and How to Recover Them

The deletion of CAB files may stress you much. And if you are seeking a way to do that in order to get them back, this website is perfect for you. In this post, you will find some effective methods on how to recover deleted CAB files.

Learn CAB Files

The Windows Cabinet File or simply CAB is the archive file type developed by Microsoft for compressing a set of files. It includes sub-Cabinet files, that is, it is composed of compressed formats of other files, folders or even Cabinet files.

Its primary use is to preserve all information associated with installation packages. Microsoft calls these files windows update, drivers, and UWP app which show frequently in software installation procedures notably when concerning windows operating system. Besides, it can be used to store other types of data, including images, video, and other documents.

It is very probable to have this file on your computer since most Windows installation packages include a CAB file. If you have been managing your Windows computer and discovered your temporary folder contains numerous CAB files consuming disk space, then removing temporary CAB files on the computer could be useful. Do you have any possibility to recover these deleted CAB files or they are lost because of CAB files deletion by mistake or for other reasons?

Recovering Deleted CAB Files: Is It Possible?

This lost CAB file might be recoverable sometimes. The main reason why lost files can be recovered is because they do not actually disappear from the storage media once the delete function has been commanded. Specifically, the file is grouped into a small area and then written on the hard disk or other storage media. In case the files are deleted, these small units do not disappear but rather the system just marks them overwritable. This means the files are still stored within the storage media but cannot be directly pointed to by the operating system.

Hence in general, there is a high propensity that in the instance that CAB files have been deleted or lost, they can be recovered; but at the same time there are certain factors that influence the rate of the recovery.

Data overwriting: When files are deleted, if the free space on disk is written with new data, then the chances of file recovery reduces significantly or it isn’t possible at all. As mentioned, data writing is random and which files are overwritten cannot be determined, thus, all writing operations should be minimized as much as possible until the files are restored.

Storage media status: The integrity of the storage media will also determine the success of CAB file recovery. For instance, when data is damaged on a hard drive or there are issues that are related to the storage disk, then recovery tools will simply be unable to perform a search for data that has been lost.

‌Deletion method: This is because deletions, including but not limited to complete deletion or full formatting, will have an impact on recoverability. Complete deletion becomes tricky when it comes to restoring the file since all data blocks associated with the file in question will be erased.

Recovering Deleted CAB Files: Best Methods

In the next part, you have to know some tips for raising the successful rate after CAB file loss.

First of all, do not write new data to the CAB file storage area.

Secondly, do not format or rebuild partitions because it can make the situation worse with the data and the devices.

Thirdly, every time you realize that there are missing files, it becomes important to act by seeking to get them back.

But if you follow these recommendations, then file recovery becomes a breeze. Let’s begin!

Method 1: Retrieve CAB Files from the Recycle Bin

The first step in the process of trying to retrieve lost files is to look for the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin is a system folder in the Windows operating system and it is mainly used to store the files and data, deleted by the user. When files are deleted, then the files will be relocated to the Recycle Bin instead of being erased away from the hard disk. Thus, you can recover these files where necessary to prevent total file loss due to deletion by accident.

CAB files are also deleted to the recycle bin where you will find them making it easy to retrieve back the files in case you need them. Read the tutorial to learn how to use the Recycle Bin and restore CAB files that have been erased properly.

Step 1: This you type the item ‘Recycle Bin’ on your desktop and click on it. If it is not here you can search for it using the Windows search feature.

Step 2: If it has been recently deleted, the CAB files can be easily found when scrolling through the list after entering the interface. If not then it will be wiser that you use the search box to search for specific CAB files.

Step 3: When you have selected all wanted files, right click to the selected area and go for Restore.

After these steps are done you can go to the original storage location to confirm if the CAB files are retrieved.

Method 2: Restore Deleted CAB Files Using Data Recovery Software

However, if you have emptied your Recycle Bin, then chances of data recovery become more challenging. For instance, if you accidentally deleted a CAB file on Windows and now need to recover that file, you have to rely on the file recovery software. A number of restoration has been made available in the market. Which one should you choose? This is why BLR Data Recovery Software is highly recommended to use in order to recover deleted CAB files. You might be wondering why I am recommending this tool. It is because it has the following advantages.

Deep scanning capability: This tool is capable of reading the disk to obtain almost anyone or any type of data on it – deleted, lost or existing. In the worst case your files have been deleted even for a long time, it can still remove them as long the space over it has not been overwritten.

Powerful recovery function: It is able to recover vast majority of file format including e-supply, archive, audio-video, documents, picture, and e-mail Message from any make and model of storage media such as internal /external hard disk drives, USB flash disks, memory cards, RAID(array of independent disks), and other storage media.

Organizational compatibility with the system. It supports all current Windows systems, and the latest is Windows 11,Windows along with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8. The best advice which I can give to most users is to refrain from updating their Windows.

Maximum security for your data and your device. When using it, it can safely recover your lost files and storage devices without further losing more files.

To restore deleted CAB files using BLR Data Recovery Software, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and Install BLR Data Recovery Software:

• Visit the official BLR Tools website to download the software.
• Follow the installation instructions to set up the program on your Windows PC.

Step 2: Launch the Software:

• Open BLR Data Recovery Software from your desktop or Start menu.

Step 3: Select the File Type to Recover:

• In the main interface, choose the option to specify the file types you wish to recover.
• Select "CAB" files from the list to focus the recovery process.

Step 4: Choose the Location to Scan:

• Select the drive or partition where the CAB files were originally stored.
• If you're unsure, you can select the entire disk for a comprehensive scan.

Step 5: Initiate the Scanning Process:

• Click the "Scan" button to begin searching for deleted CAB files.
• The software offers two scanning modes: Quick Scan & Deep Scan

Step 6: Preview and Select Files for Recovery:

• Once the scan is complete, browse through the list of recoverable files.
• Use the preview feature to verify the contents of the CAB files.
• Select the files you wish to recover by checking the corresponding boxes.

Step 7: Recover and Save the Files:

• Click the "Recover" button to restore the selected CAB files.
• Choose a safe destination folder on a different drive or partition to prevent overwriting any other deleted data.

Step 8: Verify the Recovered Files:

• Navigate to the destination folder to ensure the CAB files have been successfully restored and are accessible.

Method 3: Restore CAB Archives via File History

File History works in libraries, contacts, favorites, Microsoft SkyDrive and, on the desktop. When your original files are missing, corrupted, or erased, it assists you in restoring your documents. It is also possible to store a copy of a file in different status at certain times at the same time. In the long run, you will have an infinite history of your files.

The File History is another feature that you may have turned on in your Windows; it can help you recover lost files. Therefore to enable it for recovery of files, the following steps are followed: If it does not exclude you, then this method does not apply to you. Here are the steps to check it:

• Click with the right button your mouse on the start button and select settings.
• Go to Update & security and then to Files backup.
• Automatically back up my files: Confirm that this option is turned on.

If it is enabled, follow the instructions below to restore the deleted CAB files with it.

Step 1: In the operating system’s case, right click the Computer icon and then click the Control Panel link, Next, click on the View by box to select Large icons.

Step 2: Go to File History and click on Restore personal files.

Step 3: Locate the folder where CAB files are deleted or erased, and click it twice with the computer mouse.

Step 4: Click on the files you want to restore and then click on the Green restore button at the bottom.

Other Causes and Tips for Prevention

Let me list some other established causes for CAB file deletion apart from accident and measures to avoid their loss.

Causes:

Virus attacks: Today viruses become more and more lethal, and computer data is very vulnerable to attack, leading to loss of files.

Disk formatting: Disk formatting erases all the files on a disk drive or partition, changes the file system type and refreshes the computer for improved performance.

System crashing: Computer crashes may be due to system files or even hardware issues. You may lose files, get the blue screen of death, or come across many other situations that make using the computer a nightmare.

Tips:

Always make a copy of your CAB files: Backups help in dealing with operator mistakes, harming of the individual parts of the computer, infection by viruses, power surges, and calamities. In such cases, backups can work as time and money savers.

We have to make minimum changes and here the first one is to use antivirus on your computer. Antivirus software helps in avoiding the effects of malware on a device by identifying, containing or eliminating the malicious code.

Verdict

It is not as hard as one might expect to seek back their files. If for some reason you have lost your CAB file you should first check the recycle bin. If that doesn’t work, go to the next method by using the BLR Data Recovery software for the recovery of deleted CAB files. However, in the case you have enabled the backup feature, it will be easier and faster to recover the lost file. However, few people have the awareness of backup. Therefore, backup your files from now on.