Solving DLL Issues in the Windows Registry

In the glory days of Windows 3.1, the computer was controlled by multiple files usually ending with .ini or .sys extensions. Beginning with Windows 95 that number was reduced to two files. Index.dat and user.dat merge when Windows starts to create a database referred to as The Windows Registry. This database can be compared to the architect's blueprint for every possible variable in your computer. Every preference, every software variable, and the relationship between software and separate files are stored in this database. One of the most common registry errors are .dll conflicts. In this article, we shall examine the dynamic link library, how these conflicts occur, and discuss how to fix them.

A dynamic link library is a special file which contains step by step specific instructions or other information. These instructions cause an application to perform certain tasks based on operating parameters. The reason .dll files are so important is that they allow multiple applications to share files or other limited resources.

When an application starts, the registry specifies which .dll files should be loaded into memory. Then the application links to the .dll from time to time sharing resources with other software. Dynamic link library files are often updated separately from the specific software application that uses it. This happens because they, .dll files, are often not part of a specific package. Some are provided by Windows itself and others are provided by the application. When the .dll files are updated, removed, or reassigned, registry entries that cross key boundaries may not be identical. This will cause conflicts and the user might receive an error message that said, “cannot find abcde.dll”. This conflict will eventually cause the application to freeze. Because the registry data is corrupted the application can't proceed, and it stops dead in its tracks.

Windows complicates matters by attempting to resolve the conflict internally. The start and stop cycle consumes even more system resources. Eventually, the conflict builds until the system crashes. This is where a registry cleaner such as Regcure comes into play.

Regcure scans your computer to determine which .dll file goes where. Then, using that data, it removes the invalid .dll entries in the registry database. The beneficial side effect is that when Windows is restarted the registry will be smaller and use fewer system resources. This decrease in size increases system performance. By now it should be obvious that registry bloat is a leading cause of computer crashes. Dynamic Link Library files that don't work or are in conflict with each other contribute to registry bloating and application errors or crashes.

Regcure features a scheduling function that when used regularly will minimize registry bloat. It does this by taking snapshots of your system, creating a backup, and then correcting the errors it finds. By using Regcure weekly and after uninstalling software the computer system will run faster and more efficiently.