title: Build axvlc.cab to allow installation of plugin without internet access (on intranet)
body: <p>I have the following task: Provide VLC plugins locally so that they can be installed even if a user doesn't have internet access (no VLC installed, only intranet access).</p>
  
  <p>The axvlc.cab file is unfortunately not available anymore from the VLC website (as described <a href="http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=16&amp;t=97518&amp;start=20" rel="nofollow">here</a>).</p>
  
  <p>There are some instructions in the VLC forum (e.g. <a href="http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=16&amp;t=98424&amp;p=329958#p329960" rel="nofollow">here</a>), and I understand that there's also a ton of resources about creating .cab files.</p>
  
  <p>However, I'm wondering what the absolutely shortest path is to achieve this for this particular VLC plugin. I probably should also mention that I haven't done anything with CAB files etc. in the past.</p>
  
  <p>I checked the last available axvlc.cab v0.8.6 (available <a href="http://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/0.8.6/win32/" rel="nofollow">here</a>), and it appears that it basically only contains a "link" to the installer. I'm wondering if it would be enough to:
   - Make the installer available on my own server
   - Rewrite the .inf file in the .cab to point it to that "local installer" instead of the one available on the VLC website?</p>
  
  <p>The next best idea would be to take the axvlc.dll and create the cab file on my own. Not sure what the exact steps for that would be. I understand that the Microsoft Cabinet SDK isn't really what Microsoft supports/recommends anymore. Although it's still available on some 3rd party website (e.g. <a href="http://www.pixelsplasher.com/_downloads/software/Microsoft-Cabinet-SDK/" rel="nofollow">this one</a>), the way to go about creating .cab files is via Visual Studio, right?</p>
  
  <p>Also, do I absolutely have to sign the .cab file I'm going to re-create, or will it work (assuming I add the site to trusted sites or what not) if it's not signed? I'd like to just get it working first before I get a cert etc.</p>
  
  <p>The 2nd part of the exercise, namely to provide the .xpi plugin for Mozilla and Chrome as well, seems easier as VLC still provides this one on their <a href="http://downloads.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/last/win32/" rel="nofollow">website</a>.</p>
  
  <p>But if somebody could provide html code how to embed the FF plugin and make it download from a local directory on that same server if not installed yet, I'd appreciate it too.</p>