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DLL Hell: Fixing Windows Library Problems

DLL files have been with Windows since the earliest versions, and are Microsofts way of sharing code between more than one application. By sharing code, applications can be made smaller in terms of the disk space they use up, and also multiple applications can make use of the same Windows features. For example, applications that use a Windows DLL to draw graphics on the screen will all have the same look and feel. Missing and corrupt DLL files can be the source of many problems in Windows, as a faulty DLL will cause all of the applications which rely on it to break also. DLL problems can be caused by applications either removing or overwriting a DLL that another application relies on, a problem known as DLL Hell. While this was a big problem in older versions of Windows, Microsoft have taken steps to fix it in more recent versions including Windows Vista, XP and 2000. Nevertheless, these versions of Windows can also experience problems caused by faulty DLLs. In this article, we show you how to solve them.

Category: Hardware, Troubleshooting
Issue: 2007 Issue 4 June/July
Operating Systems: 98, me, 2000, XP
Article Reference: D11