CAB to XZ Converter
Processing entirely on your device — large files may take a moment.
CAB is Microsoft's installer cabinet format — drivers, Windows updates and legacy installers arrive as CAB files. Unpack XZ into ZIP/TAR for tools that cannot read LZMA2.
Because the whole conversion happens on your device, it is instant, unlimited and genuinely private — no accounts, no watermarks, no files on anyone's server. Multiple files are converted in one go.
How CAB compares to XZ
| CAB | XZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | MSZIP / LZX | LZMA2 |
| Bundling | Multi-file with folders | Single file |
| Best for | Drivers and Windows updates | Packages and releases |
How to convert CAB to XZ
- 1
Select your files
Select your CAB file.
- 2
Convert instantly
The file bytes are gzip-compressed in place — the same archive your server or build tool produces, made locally.
- 3
Download results
Download the .gz file — ready to upload, serve or attach.
About the CAB format
CAB (Cabinet) is Microsoft's own archive format, built for software distribution: Windows update packages, device drivers and legacy installers arrive as CAB files. It supports MSZIP, Quantum and LZX compression, and Windows Explorer actually opens it — on Windows.
Everywhere else it is a locked box. Converting CAB to ZIP makes driver payloads and update contents readable on macOS, Linux and phones — useful when you need a driver file on a machine that cannot run the installer.
+Strengths
- ✓Native to Windows software distribution
- ✓Efficient LZX compression for its era
!Limitations
- −Windows-centric — opaque elsewhere
- −No encryption or recovery features
About the XZ format
XZ wraps the LZMA2 algorithm: the best ratio of the common Unix compressors, which is why distribution packages and source releases pick it when bandwidth matters more than CPU.
Windows Explorer and many cross-platform tools cannot open it — unpacking to ZIP or TAR makes the payload portable.
+Strengths
- ✓Highest common ratio
- ✓Standard for Linux packages
- ✓Integrity checks built in
!Limitations
- −Memory-hungry at high settings
- −Sparse support outside Linux
Why convert CAB to XZ?
Converting makes sense where the strengths of XZ meet what CAB cannot give you. Highest common ratio Meanwhile Windows-centric — opaque elsewhere One pass through the converter above puts your file on the right side of that trade-off.
Frequently asked questions
Is this CAB to XZ converter really free?
Yes — completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily conversion limits. The site is supported by advertising.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly, so your files never leave your device — that is what makes it instant and private.
Does it work on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android?
Yes. Anything with a modern browser works: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. No software installation is required.
Is there a file size limit for CAB to XZ?
The only limit is your device's memory, since nothing is uploaded. Files up to a few hundred megabytes work fine on a modern desktop browser; very large files simply take a little longer.
Are the files inside my CAB archive modified?
No. Contents are unpacked in memory and repacked into XZ byte-for-byte — the conversion changes the container, never the files inside it.
What about folders and directory structure?
The full directory tree is preserved: folders stay folders, and deep paths arrive exactly as they were packed in the CAB file.