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What is DLL file?
Stands for Dynamic Link Library
A dynamic link library (DLL) is a collection of
small programs, which can be called upon
when needed by the executable program
(EXE) that is running. The DLL lets the
executable communicate with a specific
device such as a printer or may contain
source code to do particular functions.
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An example would be if the program (exe)
needs to get the free space of your hard
drive, It can call the DLL file that contains
the function with parameters and a call
function. The DLL will then tell the
executable the free space. This allows the
executable to be smaller in size and not
have to write the function that already
exists.
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This allows any program the
information about the free space,
without having to write all the source
code and it saves space on your hard
drive as well. When a DLL is used in
this fashion are also known as shared
files
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The advantage of DLL files is that, because they do not
get loaded into random access memory (RAM) together
with the main program, space is saved in RAM.
When and if a DLL file is called, then it is loaded. For
example, you are editing a Microsoft Word document,
the printer DLL file does not need to be loaded into RAM.
If you decide to print the document, then the printer
DLL file is loaded and a call is made to print.
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DLL Download Sites are Not
Approved Sources for DLL FILES
DLL files are created and distributed by companies that
develop software. Sometimes that software company is
Microsoft, sometimes it is not. Many companies create DLL
files as part of their software packages.
A stable, clean, and updated copy of any DLL file can only be
guaranteed by the developer. Websites that allow individual
DLL downloads are in all but the rarest cases not
approved places for downloading DLLs.
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Installing a Single DLL File is Often a Bandage for a
Larger Problem
DLL files are only small parts of entire software
programs. Often times, an error message that singles
out an individual DLL file is only telling you part of the
story. The particular error is often being generated
only because it's the first problem the software is
encountering, not because it's the single cause of the
problem.
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When you download and replace a DLL file from a DLL
download site, you're often only solving one small
part of a larger problem. Usually, the solution to the
larger problem is to reinstall the entire software
package that the DLL originated from.
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Even if replacing a single DLL file fixes your
immediate issue, additional problems tend to show up
later, often as error messages notifying you of yet
another missing DLL file. Save yourself a lot of time
and energy and fix the problem right the first time.
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DLLs from DLL Download Sites are Often Outdated
DLL download sites exist solely so you'll find them on a
search engine and hopefully click on their advertisements.
They are not true software support sites and have little if
any incentive to keep their DLL files updated. However, the
software company that actually developed the DLL file will
always have the most up to date and functional file
available.
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Software developers rarely have single DLL files
available for download, so if a reinstall of their software
program doesn't replace or repair the DLL file you're
after, I recommend contacting the company and
requesting a copy of the file.
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DLL Files from DLL Download Sites May be Infected
with Viruses
Since DLL download sites are not approved sources for
DLL files and often have little if any contact
information available, thereDownload Sites May be
DLL Files from DLL is no guarantee that the
DLL file you just downloaded is free from a virus
Infected with Viruses
infection.
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Assuming you have a good antivirus program, an
infected DLL file might be virus free as you download
it but there is certainly no guarantee of that. Take the
safe route and simply avoid downloading DLL files
from these DLLDLL Files from DLL Download Sites May be
download sites.
Infected with Viruses
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DLL Download Sites Could Host DLL Files That
Could Compromise Your Computer's Security
DLL files are like small, specialized programs that can
be programmed to perform various actions
automatically, even actions that open your computer
up to hacking and other kinds of intrusions.
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How To Fix DLL Problems the Right Way
Question: So if downloading a DLL file from a DLL
repository is such a bad idea, how in the world do you
fix a missing DLL problem?
Answer: Determine the root cause of the problem by
troubleshooting!
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As I mentioned above, a computer tends to report not the
whole of a problem to you, but just the first issue it
encounters. A computer doesn't continue to list problem
after problem it finds, just the first one that makes it stop. In
this case a missing DLL file.
So what you need to do is figure out what the actual
problem is, which is probably not just a missing DLL file. To
do that, you need to find a troubleshooting guide for the
specific issue.
