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How to sign your .cab files

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(see highlighted section below for the specifics of creating a Test certificate)  

 

· Generate a .cab (using Cab SDK): https://support.microsoft.com/kb/310618

o Simple command line approach:

§ make sure desired mshc file exists (copy to) in same folder as makecab.exe (simplified command line for this example)

§ cd into directory where makecab.exe lives, example: C:\cabsdk\BIN

§ issue command line: makecab.exe <mshc file name> <desired cab file name>

 

· Sign a .cab (using locally generated certificate - only used for local signed cab testing):

o For local testing, create your own certificate from your local machine (requires the tool to create the certificate to be installed as part of Windows SDK):

§ https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/bb980924.aspx

§ Install Windows SDK

o Create local certificate:

§ Makecert.exe -sk myNewKey -r -n "cn=Test Sign Cert,ou=certificates,O=Tst" -ss my myNew.cer

§ certutil.exe -f -addstore personal myNew.cer

o Sign the .cab:

§ Signtool.exe sign /i "<whatever your cert name is, the "cn=" name in above line>" <content name>.cab

 

· Signing with a certificate obtained from Certificate Authority:

o https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa387764(VS.85).aspx

o Make sure you have a cert to use for the signing and the private key

o At a command prompt, cd into directory where signtool.exe lives

o signtool.exe signwizard

o In the signwizard UI:

§ Select cab file

§ Select custom option - this will enable you to select your cert

Comments

  • Anonymous
    December 01, 2010
    Hi, I tried putting .msgc and .msha files in a cab file, signed it and deployed it using install shield. Then i tried to run the below command from command prompt: HelpLibraryManagerLauncher.exe /product "VS" /version "100" /locale en-us /brandingPackage MESFoundationClassReference.mshc /sourceMedia MESFoundationClassReference.msha /silent It doesnt work. It ways executed succesfully in command prompt. Please help me in identifying the issue with this command or any step I miss.

  • Anonymous
    December 02, 2010
    Hello Sooraj - Only the .mshc file should go in the .cab. The .msha file should remain a separate file. Additionally, it is required that the .msha file specifically be named "HelpContentSetup.msha" - no other file name will be recognized. Then your HelpLibManager parameters should look like: HelpLibManager.exe /product VS /version 100 /locale en-us /sourceMedia <path to .msha>helpcontentsetup.msha /silent The .msha file will specifiy the name of your .cab file - the name of the .cab file should also match the name of the .mshc file inside it.

  • Anonymous
    January 07, 2013
    Excuese me plz any one tell mi how to use cabinet file in IBS s/w using normal code or web based code