How to Stop Running a DLL File

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Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files are an important part of how your computer operates. These files act as an information hub for programs running on your computer system. When software is created, common-use DLL files allow the programmers to save time by not having to create code to cover common functions. These functions are instead stored in the DLL files and accessed by all programs that need it. When troubleshooting errors with DLL files, it is often necessary to stop the file from running on your computer system.

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Step 1

Click the "Start" menu button, then click the "Search" button located within the "Start" menu.

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Step 2

Choose to search "All files and folders," then type the name of the DLL file you wish to stop into the search dialog box. Click on "Search."

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Step 3

Locate the DLL file in the right-hand window pane and write down the full file path for the DLL file. Close the search window.

Step 4

Click the "Start" menu button on your desktop, then type "cmd" into the empty dialog box located at the bottom of your "Start" menu. Doing so will cause the system command prompt to launch in a pop-up window. If you do not have a dialog box present in your "start" menu, click the "Run" button to have it launch in a separate window.

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Step 5

Type "cd c:\filepath\filename.dll" into the command prompt, replacing "filepath" and "filename" with the DLL's path. Press enter.

Step 6

Type "regsvr32 /u DLL NAME" into the command prompt, substituting the actual DLL name without the brackets for "DLL NAME." Press enter. The DLL file is now no longer running on your system.

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