Most software for both Windows Mobile Pocket PCs or Windows Mobile Smartphones is downloaded as an executable .EXE file.  These files run within Windows, then install themselves on your Pocket PC or smartphone via ActiveSync (or Windows Mobile Device Center in Windows Vista).  Sometimes, however a program is downloaded as a .CAB, or cabinet, file. These files are designed to run within Windows Mobile, and must be transferred to your Pocket PC or smartphone before they can be installed.  In this tutorial, we'll show you how to install applications downloaded as .CAB files on your Windows Mobile device. 

NOTE: For the purposes of this tutorial, we'll install Pocket Google on a Dell Axim X50v Pocket PC, however the same process works for Windows Mobile smartphones.  The filename for the installer is PocketGoogle.cab.

Step 1: Moving the .CAB File to Your Windows Mobile Device

Our first step is simply transferring the .CAB file to the Windows Mobile Pocket PC.  The file PocketGoogle.cab is located on our desktop. 

To begin, connect the Pocket PC to your Windows PC using a USB cable or cradle.  Allow the synchronization process to complete.  Inside ActiveSync, click the Explore button on the toolbar:

The Explore feature of ActiveSync is very useful; it provides access to the files stored on your Pocket PC or smartphone from Windows.  With the Mobile Device screen open on your desktop, left-click on the .CAB file and drag it to the Mobile Device screen, then let go of the mouse button:

That's it.  The file has now been transferred to the mobile device.

NOTE: If you copied the file to a subfolder rather than the root "Mobile Device" folder shown above, you'll need to note the .CAB file's folder location for the next step.

Step 2: Install the .CAB File's Software

Now that the .CAB file has been copied to your Windows Mobile device, we're ready to install the program.  Click Start > Programs > File Explorer.  If you followed the instructions above and moved the file to the root Mobile Device window, navigate to the My Documents folder:

You should see the file you transferred in the My Documents folder.  When you find it, tap it with your stylus (or, on a smartphone, highlight the file and hit the OK key).  The .CAB file will begin the installation process.  Follow the instructions on screen, which may vary from program to program:

Your software has now been installed and is ready to use:

Final Thoughts

In some cases, opening a .CAB file and installing the software contained within will cause the file to be deleted when the installation process is complete.  In other cases, you'll  need to manually delete the .CAB file using File Explorer.  Leaving the .CAB file in your handheld's memory will take up space, but is perfectly safe.

If you're more comfortable moving files to your Windows Mobile device using a flash memory card and a memory card reader, feel free to do so.  This tutorial covered the ActiveSync method of transferring files in the interests of universality.

It is also possible to download software contained within a .CAB file directly to your Windows Mobile Pocket PC or smartphone from the Internet.  If you download the .CAB file directly to your device, simply begin at Step 2 to install the software.

[ Via: pocketpccentral.net ]