If you need to delete unwanted or corrupted DLL files, you'll need to find them first by showing hidden files, unregistering them with the Command Prompt program, and manually deleting them from their source folder. Very important for you to know that the file to be deleted is indeed not a required Windows system file. Deleting the DLL files that the computer requires can render the computer unstartable. Therefore, don't delete a DLL file unless you know what it does and why you don't need it on your computer.
Step
Step 1. Start the Windows computer in safe mode (safe mode)
That way, if you have an unwanted application (eg surveillance device) that relies on a DLL file, the application will not prevent you from deleting the file. To load the computer in safe mode:
- Click the Windows menu and select " Settings ”.
- Click " Updates & Security ”.
- Choose " Recovery ”.
- Click " Restart now' ” in the "Advanced startup" section.
- After the PC restarts, click " Troubleshoot ”.
- Click " Advanced options ”.
- Click " Startup Settings " and select " Restart ”.
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When you see a list of Windows startup options, press the “
Step 4." or " F4 ” according to the instructions to access safe mode.
Step 2. Open Windows File Explorer
You can open it by pressing Windows key + “ E ” on an ongoing basis, or clicking on the option “ File Explorer ” on the “Start” menu.
Step 3. Click the View tab
This tab is at the top of the File Explorer window.
Step 4. Click the Options icon
It's in the upper-right corner of the window.
Step 5. Click the View tab
This tab is at the top of the “Folder Options” window.
Step 6. Select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives"
This option is the second option under the " Hidden files and folders " heading.
Step 7. Uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" and "Hide protected operating system files" options
These two options are slightly below the selection you made in the previous step.
Step 8. Click OK
You can now manage hidden DLL files on your computer.
Step 9. Locate the DLL file that you need to delete
You can use Windows Explorer to search for files. For example, if you want to delete a DLL file left by a virus on your fast drive, select your fast drive from the left pane.
If you do not know the file storage directory, click “ This PC ” in the left pane, then type a file name (in whole or in part) into the " Search This PC " field in the upper right corner of the window. Click the purple arrow icon to display the search results. After finding the file, right-click on its name and select “ Open file location ” from the menu.
Step 10. Right click the address bar and select Copy address as text
This bar is at the top of the window and contains the full address (path) to the currently open folder. The folder address will be copied to the clipboard afterwards.
Step 11. Open Command Prompt program as administrator
Here's how:
- Type cmd into the search bar next to the “Start” menu button (you may need to click the magnifying glass icon before seeing it).
- In the search results, right click " Command prompt " and select " Run as administrator ”.
- Click " Yes ”.
Step 12. Switch to the directory containing the DLL files
Here's how:
- Type in cd and press spacebar. At this stage, do not immediately press the " Enter ”.
- After pressing the space bar, right-click the Command Prompt window and select “ Paste " The right-click mechanism itself may be able to paste the copied address automatically, depending on the settings. However, you may still need to click “ Paste ” to view the address.
- Press the button " Enter ” to execute the command.
- You can use the dir command in the Command Prompt to see a list of all the files in the folder. To view only DLL files, use the dir *.dll command.
Step 13. Unregister the DLL file
At the command line, type regsvr32 /ufilename.dll. Replace “filename.dll” with the name of the DLL file you want to delete, then press the “ Enter ” to execute the command. After that, you can delete the DLL file.
Step 14. Delete the file
Use the Command Prompt program to delete the DLL file:
- type del /f filename.dll and replace "filename.dll" with the name of the DLL file you want to delete. The “/f” entry instructs Windows to delete a file, even if the file is marked as read-only.
- Press the button " Y ” to confirm if prompted.
- Once the files are deleted, undo the changes you made to File Explorer options or settings, then restart the computer as usual.
Tips
- If you are using a modern operating system, you need to make sure that a strong antivirus program is in place to protect your computer from.dll format viruses.
- Do not delete or modify system files on computers other than personal computers.
- Most DLL files are system files. Incorrect file deletion can damage the computer. Therefore, never delete a DLL file, unless you really know what it does.
