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Scripts: Extract .msu and .cab files

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This article provides a guide on how to use a PowerShell script to extract .msu and .cab files to a specified directory. The script is designed to handle various scenarios, ensure smooth extractions, and even create directories if needed.

Script overview

The script needs two mandatory parameters:

  • The file path of the .msu or .cab file
  • The destination path where the extracted files will be stored

The script checks for the existence of the specified file and destination directory, and creates the destination directory if it doesn't exist. The script then proceeds to extract the contents of the .msu or .cab files and handles nested .cab files in the process.

Step-by-step instructions for using the script

  1. Prepare the script.

    Copy the provided PowerShell script into a .ps1 file (for example, Extract-MSUAndCAB.ps1).

  2. Run the script.

    Open PowerShell as an administrator. Go to the directory where your script is saved. In this example, execute the script by running .\Extract-MSUAndCAB.ps1.

  3. Provide file paths.

    When prompted, provide the paths to the .msu or .cab files you want to extract. Specify the destination path where the extracted files should be saved.

Here's a usage example:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\Extract-MSUAndCAB.ps1 -filePath "C:\<path>\<yourfile>.msu" -destinationPath "C:\<path>\<destination>"

Important

This sample script is not supported under any Microsoft standard support program or service.

The sample script is provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. Microsoft further disclaims all implied warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose.

The entire risk arising out of the use or performance of the sample scripts and documentation remains with you. In no event shall Microsoft, its authors, or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use the sample scripts or documentation, even if Microsoft has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

param (
    [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)]
    [string]$filePath,
    [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)]
    [string]$destinationPath
)

# Display the note to the user
Write-Host "==========================="
Write-Host
Write-Host -ForegroundColor Yellow "Note: Do not close any Windows opened by this script until it is completed."
Write-Host
Write-Host "==========================="
Write-Host


# Remove quotes if present
$filePath = $filePath -replace '"', ''
$destinationPath = $destinationPath -replace '"', ''

# Trim trailing backslash if present
$destinationPath = $destinationPath.TrimEnd('\')

if (-not (Test-Path $filePath -PathType Leaf)) {
    Write-Host "The specified file does not exist: $filePath"
    return
}

if (-not (Test-Path $destinationPath -PathType Container)) {
    Write-Host "Creating destination directory: $destinationPath"
    New-Item -Path $destinationPath -ItemType Directory | Out-Null
}

$processedFiles = @{}

function Extract-File ($file, $destination) {
    Write-Host "Extracting $file to $destination"
    Start-Process -FilePath "cmd.exe" -ArgumentList "/c expand.exe `"$file`" -f:* `"$destination`" > nul 2>&1" -Wait -WindowStyle Hidden | Out-Null
    $processedFiles[$file] = $true
    Write-Host "Extraction completed for $file"
}

function Rename-File ($file) {
    if (Test-Path -Path $file) {
        $newName = [System.IO.Path]::GetFileNameWithoutExtension($file) + "_" + [System.Guid]::NewGuid().ToString("N") + [System.IO.Path]::GetExtension($file)
        $newPath = Join-Path -Path ([System.IO.Path]::GetDirectoryName($file)) -ChildPath $newName
        Write-Host "Renaming $file to $newPath"
        Rename-Item -Path $file -NewName $newPath
        Write-Host "Renamed $file to $newPath"
        return $newPath
    }
    Write-Host "File $file does not exist for renaming"
    return $null
}

function Process-CabFiles ($directory) {
    while ($true) {
        $cabFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path $directory -Filter "*.cab" -File | Where-Object { -not $processedFiles[$_.FullName] -and $_.Name -ne "wsusscan.cab" }

        if ($cabFiles.Count -eq 0) {
            Write-Host "No more CAB files found in $directory"
            break
        }

        foreach ($cabFile in $cabFiles) {
            Write-Host "Processing CAB file $($cabFile.FullName)"
            $cabFilePath = Rename-File -file $cabFile.FullName

            if ($cabFilePath -ne $null) {
                Extract-File -file $cabFilePath -destination $directory
                Process-CabFiles -directory $directory
            }
        }
    }
}

try {
    # Initial extraction
    if ($filePath.EndsWith(".msu")) {
        Write-Host "Extracting .msu file to: $destinationPath"
        Extract-File -file $filePath -destination $destinationPath
    } elseif ($filePath.EndsWith(".cab")) {
        Write-Host "Extracting .cab file to: $destinationPath"
        Extract-File -file $filePath -destination $destinationPath
    } else {
        Write-Host "The specified file is not a .msu or .cab file: $filePath"
        return
    }

    # Process all .cab files recursively
    Write-Host "Starting to process CAB files in $destinationPath"
    Process-CabFiles -directory $destinationPath
}
catch {
    Write-Host "An error occurred while extracting the file. Error: $_"
    return
}

Write-Host "Extraction completed. Files are located in $destinationPath"
return $destinationPath