Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Register a DLL from the Run window
• Method 2 of 2: Register a DLL at the command prompt
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

A DLL file is a module with certain functions that can be used by several programs, as long as it is registered. Although DLL registration under Windows Vista and Windows XP usually takes place in the background, it may be necessary to manually register a DLL due to hard drive problems, software installation or virus infection. Follow these instructions to register a DLL in Windows Vista or Windows XP.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Register a DLL from the Run window

1. Open the Run window.
   • In Windows XP, click the Start button on the left side of the taskbar in Windows XP. Then select Run on the right side of the Start menu. It appears directly on the right side of All Programs.
   • In Windows Vista, click on the Windows symbol on the left side of the taskbar in Windows Vista. Then type “run” in the search field that appears at the bottom of the menu. The Run command will appear under Programs. Click on Run.
2. Type the command regsvr32 in the Run window. The syntax of the regsvr32 command is as follows: regsvr32 “path and a file.dll”.
   • To register a file called myfile.dll, which can be found in c: windows system32, type regsvr32 “c: windows system32 myfile.dll”.
   • Click OK or Enter to run the command.
3. Look for the popup box titled “RegSvr32” right after you run the command. The notification should say something like "DLLRegisterServer in scrrun.dll succeeded." Click OK to close this window.

Method 2 of 2: Register a DLL at the command prompt

1. Type “cmd” in the Vista search field.
2. Right click on cmd. Choose Run as Administrator / Administrator, from the context menu.
3. Type regsvr32 "path and a file.dll" at the prompt.
4. Wait for the error messages.
   • If you get a message that the DLL registration was unsuccessful, double check that you spelled the name of the DLL correctly.
   • In Windows Vista, you may have to tinker with the permissions to make sure registration works.

Tips

• Sometimes the UAC, or User Account Control in Windows Vista, can prevent a DLL from registering correctly. Disable the UAC by going to Control Panel. Then click User Accounts and Family Safety, then click the Accounts title, and select Enable or Disable User Account Control.

Warnings

• Certain viruses install DLL files. One of the first steps to disable the virus is to "unregister" the DLL used by the virus. You can do this with the following command: regsvr32 / u “path FileName.dll”.

Necessities

• Computer
• Windows Vista or Windows XP