How to Register DLL Files

Register a DLL file

You need to understand how this method works. You can combine the "regsvr" command with the DLL file name to register the DLL if the file supports the Register Server export command. This creates a path from the Windows registry to the DLL file, and makes it easier for Windows processing to find and use the DLL file.

You will most often use this method when registering a DLL that comes from a third-party program that will interact directly with system-level resources (such as Command Prompt).

You need to know what the "entry point" error means. If the DLL file is already registered, the Register Server export command is not supported, or the DLL code does not allow connection to the Windows registry, then you will receive an error message with the content: "The module [DLL file name] was loaded but the entry point DllRegisterServer was not found" (DLL file module was loaded but the entry point DllRegisterServer was not found). This means you cannot register this DLL file.

The "entry point" message is not necessarily an error but a confirmation that you no longer need to register that DLL file.

Find the DLL file you want to register. Go to the folder containing the DLL file you want to register. Once you find the file, you can proceed with registration.

For example, if you install a program that needs to register a DLL file, go to the program's installation folder (for example, "C:Program Files[program name]").

Open the DLL's Properties section. Right-click the DLL file and select Properties in the drop-down menu. A window will pop up.

Note the DLL file name. In the text box at the top of the Properties window is the full name of the DLL file. You will need to enter this name later.

Because most DLL file names are difficult to remember, do not close this Properties window; In a moment you will be able to copy the filename from here.

Copy the path of the DLL. Click and drag your mouse cursor to highlight the text to the right of the "Location" heading, then press Ctrl+ Cto copy the path to the DLL file.

Open Start . Click the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen.

Find Command Prompt. Type it command promptinto Start's search bar. The Command Prompt icon will appear at the top of the window.

Open Command Prompt in administrator mode by:

Right click on Command Prompt.

Click Run as administrator .

Click Yes when the option appears.

Go to the folder containing the DLL file. Please enter cdand press space, then press Ctrl+ Vto paste the path to the DLL file and then press ↵ Enter.

For example, if the DLL file belongs to the "SysWOW64" folder in the "Windows" root folder, you need to enter the command:cd C:WindowsSysWOW64

Enter the command "regsvr" along with the DLL file name. Type the command regsvr32, add a space, then enter the complete name of the DLL file with the extension ".dll" and press ↵ Enter. If this DLL file can be registered, a confirmation message will appear.

For example, if the DLL file name is "usbperf.dll", you would enter the command:regsvr32 usbperf.dll

To copy the name of the DLL file in this step, reopen the folder containing the DLL file (the Properties window will pop up), then highlight the name in the text box and press Ctrl+ C. You can paste the filename into Command Prompt using the key combination Ctrl+ V.

If the DLL file is already registered or cannot be registered, you will see an "entry point" error pop up instead of a confirmation message.

Try unregistering the DLL and registering it again. If the "regsvr" command returns an error that is not an "entry point", you may need to unregister the DLL file and re-register it:

Enter the command regsvr32 /u name.dlland press ↵ Enter. Remember to replace "name" with the DLL file name.

Enter the command regsvr32 name.dlland press ↵ Enter, again, don't forget to replace "name" with the DLL file name.

Re-register the entire DLL

You need to understand how this method works. By creating a list of DLL files on your computer and launching the list as a BAT file, you can register all DLL files on your computer automatically. This is the optimal option if you don't have a specific DLL file that needs to be registered.

Open Start . Click the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen.

Find Command Prompt. Type it command promptinto Start's search bar. The Command Prompt icon will appear at the top of the window.

Open Command Prompt in administrator mode by:

Right click on Command Prompt.

Click Run as administrator

Click Yes when the option appears.

Switch to the Windows folder. Enter the command cd c:Windowsand press ↵ Enter. This command will instruct Command Prompt to execute the next command in the "Windows" folder.

Create a file containing a list of DLLs. Enter the command dir *.dll /s /b > C:regdll.batinto Command Prompt and press ↵ Enter. Command Prompt will create a file listing the locations and names of all DLLs in the Windows folder.

Close Command Prompt. Once the "c:Windows>" line appears below the previous command, you can exit Command Prompt and proceed with the method.

Go to the folder containing the list file. You can find it through File Explorer:

Open File Explorer (or press ⊞ Win+ E).

Click This PC on the left side of the window.

Double-click your computer's OS (C:) hard drive.

Scroll down (if necessary) until you see the file named "regdll".

Copy this file to the desktop. To save your changes, you need to make a copy of the "regdll" file on your desktop:

Click on the file to select it.

Press Ctrl+ C.

Click on the desktop.

Press Ctrl+ V.

Open the list file in Notepad. Click on the file on the desktop to select it, then:

Right click on the "regdll" file.

Click the Edit drop - down menu

Delete unnecessary DLL paths. Although not required, this step will significantly shorten the time to register the DLL file. You can delete any line of text with the following path:

C:WindowsWinSXS — These lines of text are located somewhere in the bottom quarter or so of the document.

C:WindowsTemp — You'll also find these lines near the previous "WinSXS" line entry.

C:Windows$patchcache$ — These lines are harder to find. You can search by pressing Ctrl+ F, typing $patchcache$then clicking Find next .

Add the command "regsvr" to each line of text. You can do this using Notepad's "Find and Replace" feature:

Click Edit .

Click Replace. in the drop-down menu.

Type c:in the "Find what" text box.

Type Regsvr32.exe /s c:in the "Replace with" text box.

Click Replace All .

Exit window.

Save your changes and exit Notepad. Press Ctrl+ Sto save changes and click the X in the upper right corner of the Notepad window to close. Now you are ready to launch the "regdll.bat" file.

Launch the file. Right-click the "regdll.bat" file, select Run as administrator and click Yes when the prompt to launch the file in Command Prompt appears. Command Prompt will begin registering all available DLLs; This process can take quite a while, so you'll need to make sure your computer is plugged in the entire time.

Exit Command Prompt. Once the process is complete, you can close Command Prompt. So the computer's DLL files have been registered.