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How to Delete DLL Files

To delete unwanted or corrupt .dll files, you will need to find them by making hidden files visible, unregister them through Command Prompt, and then delete them manually from their source folder. Your PC's Dynamic Link Library files store...

Part 1 of 2:

Finding DLL Files

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    Images 1 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Open the Start menu.
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    Images 2 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Click "Control Panel". There should be a default icon in your Start menu.
    1. You can also click "Run", type in "Control Panel", and then click "OK".
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    Images 3 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Open the "Folder Options" folder. This will allow you to make changes to system folder appearances.
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    Images 4 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Click the "View" tab at the top of the Folder Options menu.
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    Images 5 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Click "Show hidden files and folders". This will display a wide variety of previously-hidden system files, including .dll files.
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    Images 6 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Make sure "Hide extensions for known file types" and "Hide protected operating system files" are both unchecked. You should be able to view .dll files and their extensions now.
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    Images 7 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Click "OK". This ensures that your preferences are saved.
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    Images 8 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Open a web browser of your choice.
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    Images 9 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Type "DLL scanner" into your search engine. Unless you know exactly which .dll files are corrupt--and, therefore, in need of deletion--you'll need software to scan for the afflicted files.
    1. "DLL Files Fixer" and "DLL Archive" are both highly-recommended choices.[1][2]
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    Images 10 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Download your DLL finder once you settle on a software choice. Make a note of the location to which the software downloads, since you'll need to install it from there.
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    Images 11 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Double-click the software's icon to install the DLL finder. Software installation will vary based on its version and brand, so follow the instructions on your screen to install correctly.
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    Images 12 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Run your DLL finder once it is installed.
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    Images 13 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Review your results. The DLL finder should give you the names and locations of any corrupted or false .dll files. You can use this information later to unregister and then delete these files.
Part 2 of 2:

Unregistering and Deleting DLL Files

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    Images 14 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Open your DLL file's location. This will ensure that your current directory is updated to match that of the .dll file.[3]
    1. If you are deleting multiple .dll files, they may not be in the same location.
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    Images 15 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Open the Start menu.
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    Images 16 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Click "Run".
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    Images 17 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Type "cmd" into Run's text field, then click "OK". This will open the Command Prompt app, which allows you to interact with the operating system via user-entered commands.
    1. If you're using Vista or later, you'll need to boot Command Prompt in Administrator Mode. To do this, click "All Programs" in the Start menu, select "Accessories", right-click the "Command Prompt" icon, and select "Run as Administrator".
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    Images 18 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Type "cd" without the quotes and press ↵ Enter. This will reset your Command Prompt execution to your current directory, where the .dll file is located.
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    Images 19 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Type "regsvr32 -u (filename)dotdll" into Command Prompt. This command finds and unregister  your targeted .dll file. Exclude the quotation marks and the apostrophes; for "(filename)dotdll", insert the name of your target .dll file and the .dll extension.
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    Images 20 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Press ↵ Enter to unregister your DLL file. Your .dll file should now be ready for deletion!
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    Images 21 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Locate your DLL file in its directory.
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    Images 22 of How to Delete DLL Files
    Right-click your DLL file and select "Delete". This will send your .dll file to the Recycling Bin, from which you can delete it permanently.
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