.cab File Properties

.cab files use the wceload.exe utility to install on devices. This utility is designed for the customization of .cab files on Microsoft devices. See Microsoft documentation for more information on wceload.exe.

Command-line Options

You can use command line options to modify and control aspects of the .cab installation. These options vary for different operating systems.

Example: wceload.exe /noui .cabFileLocation

Option Description
/delete value
  • If value is set to 0, the .cab is not deleted from the device after it has been installed. wceload.exe /delete 0 MyCab.cab. This is the same as /nodelete
  • If value is set to 1 or if /delete is not set, then the .cab will be removed
/nodelete Specifies that the .cab file is not removed after installation.
/noui Specifies that the user will not be prompted for any input during the installation. By default, prompts are answered with Yes. However, if the .cab file is unsigned, any security-related prompts will default to No for security reasons, and the installation might fail. This is the same as /silent for legacy compatibility reasons.
/silent Suppresses dialog boxes during the installation, and all Yes/No prompts default to Yes, unless the .cab file is not signed. However, if the .cab file is unsigned, any security-related prompts will default to No for security reasons, and the installation might fail. This is the same as /noui for legacy compatibility reasons.
/nouninstall Uninstall information for the application installed by this .cab file is not written to the device. The application entry will not appear in the Remove Programs list on the device so the application cannot be removed. This is only available with Windows Mobile 5 and below.
/askdest Prompts the user to select an installation location on the device to where the application will be installed.
/noaskdest Does not prompt the user to select an installation location on the device to where the application will be installed. The default installation directory specified by the .cab file is used instead.
/safe Specifies that the .cab file cannot contain executable files. Also, if the .cab file is unsigned; it can only use restricted permissions, ensuring that it will not be able to write to protected files and registry keys. Only available with Windows Mobile 6 and above.
/verifyconfig Specifies that the wceload tool must verify whether the file passed in is a .cpf file. If the file is not a .cpf file, the installation fails. Only available with Windows Mobile 6 and above.
/confignotify Generates a configuration result notification that is placed in the Text Message store on the device. Only available with Windows Mobile 6 and above.
Note: The results for /noaskdest may differ depending on your devices. wceload.exe might ignore the command line and check for the installation path in the following registry location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Apps\Microsoft Application Installer\Install where the contents are key/value pairs:

cabFilePath = cabDestinationDirectory

Example: \Storage Card\MyApp.cab = \Storage Card\Program Files\My App leads wceload.exe to try to install the .cab specified in the value name to the location specified in the value. To suppress any warnings and control the location to which the .cab file should be installed, you may need to create the appropriate registry value (possibly using a SOTI MobiControl pre-install script) before installing the .cab file in the package.