How do I force a DLL to delete?

DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file is a dynamic link library file, also known as "application extension", which is a software file type. In Windows, many applications are not complete executable files. They are divided into some relatively independent dynamic link libraries, namely DLL files, which are placed in the system. When we execute a program, the corresponding DLL file will be called. An application can use multiple DLL files, and a DLL file may also be used by different applications. Such DLL files are called shared DLL files. Click here to learn more about What is a DLL. After closing the programs, some DDL files will not be automatically cleaned up, which will take up a lot of hard disk space for a long time. Or, sometimes, we remove the installed software. However, the DLL file of the corresponding software may not be deleted. Today, let's learn how to clean up useless DLL files.

Is it safe to delete a DLL file

The DLL file is a dynamic link library. Those DLL files in Window32 under Windows and under the program's installation files cannot be deleted. However, some viruses will automatically generate a list of DLL files. You can remove them through anti-virus software. Some optimizations software also can help you delete useless DLL files. If you are sure that certain software is no longer used, its corresponding DLL files can also be removed. When you get a DLL error, try our 5 recommended ways to fix the DLL error before deleting the DLL file.

How to delete DLL files

Before starting to delete or modify the registry, it is recommended to back up the registry to avoid the loss of important data due to operational errors. Here I recommend you to use Wise Registry Cleaner for backup.

Step 1: Press Win+R to open the Run window. Step 2: Input regedit and press Enter to enter the Registry Editor. Step 3: In the registry editor window, we locate the following registry key: HKKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer Step 4: On the right side of the Registry Editor, let's find out if there is AlwaysUnloadDLL. If not, please right-click on the blank location and select the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value in the pop-up menu. Step 5: Please renamed the newly created registry key to AlwaysUnloadDLL. Then double-click the AlwaysUnloadDLL, then modify the value data to 1 in the open editing window. Finally, please close the registry editor. After restarting the computer, the redundant DLL files will be automatically cleaned up. We rarely know the DLL file in our daily work and life, therefore we do not have the consciousness to delete them. But its existence sometimes occupies a lot of memory and slows down the speed of your computer. I hope this article can help you to clean up useless DLL files and make your computer smoother.

A DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file is an executable file that allows programs to perform predefined functions so that they may operate in the fashion that they were designed to do. DLL files are not loaded into your system’s memory which saves RAM space. Multiple programs are able to utilize one DLL file. Malicious applications such as browser plugins or browser hijackers are sometimes made up of DLL files that change settings allowing outside attackers access to your system.

Removal of unwanted DLL files is an essential step to remove an infection or spyware parasite. Manual removal of an unwanted DLL file can be performed if the DLL file is unregistered first.

Unregister and Remove Unwanted DLL files manually.

1. Locate the unwanted DLL file by opening the command prompt window. Click "Start" menu > select "Run" > type in "cmd" > click "OK".

2. Locate the exact unwanted DLL file path [as shown in Figure 1]. Type in "cd" to change the directory and then press the "space" button. Enter the exact path (folder location) to the unwanted DLL file and press "enter".
   
   Figure 1.

3. While in the directory for the unwanted DLL file, type in "regsvr32 /u [name_of_DLL]" and press "enter" [as shown in Figure 2].
   
   Figure 2.

A message should appear after successfully unregistering the unwanted DLL file.

If you experience issues after attempting manual removal of an unwanted DLL file, then you may download SpyHunter's spyware scanner to automatically detect the infected file.

How do I delete a DLL file that won't delete?

How do I delete unwanted DLL files?

How do you force stop a DLL file from running?

How do I remove a DLL from System32?