Package and Deploy the Application in a CAB File (Compact 2013)
10/26/2015
There are two ways to package the application in a CAB file. You can use the CAB Wizard (CabWiz.exe), or you can use Visual Studio. Unlike the other setup and deployment project types, there are no editors provided for working with CAB projects in Visual Studio 2013 or Visual Studio 2015.
To package your application in a CAB file by using the CAB Wizard
Create and edit an information (INF) file by using a simple text editor. You use an INF file to describe where files are placed and which registry keys are created or modified in an OS design. For what to include in the INF file, see CAB Wizard. For a sample INF file that you can modify and use for a simple installation, see Information (.inf) File Overview.
At the command prompt, type cabwiz <Your INF File> to create the CAB file.
Note
By default, the CAB file is built in the directory that contains the INF file. You can change this by specifying the destination directory at the command line with the /dest parameter.
You can now deploy your CAB file.
To package your application in a CAB file by using Visual Studio
In Visual Studio 2013 or Visual Studio 2015, on the File menu, click New, and then click Project.
In the New Project dialog box, perform the following steps:
- Under Project types, expand Other Project Types, and then select Setup and Deployment.
- Under Templates, select CAB Project.
- Enter a new Name, Location, and Solution Name for your CAB project and click OK.
In the Solution Explorer, add your application and any other files that are required, and then set properties in the Properties view.
On the Build menu, select Build <Your CAB File>.
The CAB file is built in the location you specified. You can now deploy your CAB file.
To deploy your application
- You can deploy the CAB file to your device using any transport mechanism that is enabled on your device. The simplest method is to put the CAB file on removable media, such as a USB drive or SD card.