A method and apparatus for packaging, distributing, installing, deleting, or updating gaming software is disclosed. In one embodiment the method and apparatus of the invention identifies a plurality of files, which may exceed hundreds of files, to be distributed, installed, or provided as updates. The plurality of files are selected and processed into a reduced number of files, often a single file. The single file contains all of the plurality of files and is capable of being further processed to restore the plurality of files and the directory structure of the plurality of files.