Dynamic Link Library or DLL is a file type that provides libraries for different executables in a shred way. A single DLL file can be used by multiple executables or other DLLs. DLL files are created to prevent duplicate files with the same functions. Another file type to a similar DLL is the OCX file type which is less popular and mainly used for ActiveX controls. Even most of the DLL files are registered by Windows for usage in some cases they are not registered by default. In this tutorial, we will learn how to register DLL files for Windows like Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows Server.
What Is Registering DLL?
Windows operating system contains a lot of DLLs for providing libraries and helper functions to the executable files. In order to use these DLL files, they should be registered. Registering the DLL file is storing the DLL file information into the Windows registry. By default, most of the DLL files are registered and can be used via the command-line interfaces and other ways. Even most of the 3rd party libraries and DLL files are registered during installation.
Register DLL via Windows Run GUI
DLLs can be registered by using different ways but in general, the regsvr32 command is used. The regsvr32 command can be executed via the Windows Run dialog box. First, we will open the Windows Run dialog box from the Start Menu or with the WIN+R key shortcut. Then we will type the regsvr32 command and the complete or absolute path of the DLL file.
regsvr32 "D:\mylibrary.dll"
Register DLL via MS-DOS or PowerShell Command Line Interface
Another way to register the DLL files is by using a command-line interface like MS-DOS or PowerShell. First, we will open the command line interface from the Start Menu. In the following example, we will open the PowerShell.
Now we will type the regsvr32 command like below.
regsvr32 "D:\mylibrary.dll"“The module failed to load The specified module could not be found” Error and Solution
Adding new DLL files into the Windows and Windows registry is an Administrative level task. In some cases you may get a “The module failed to load. The specified module could not be found” error. This error can be solved by opening an elevated MS-DOS or PowerShell command-line interface. Take the following post steps to open Administrator-enabled MS-DOS or PowerShell.