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How do You Register/Obtain DLL or OCX Files?

Most programs use some form of library files to hold common routines used by multiple parts of the program. These files typically have the extension .DLL or .OCX and are distributed with programs that need them. Rarely, one needs to be re-registered with Windows.

When a program installs a library (DLL or OCX) file the program's install routine will typically "register" the file with the system. This process tells the system the libraries in the file are available for more than one program to use. (Some DLL or OCX files are self-registering.)

Sometimes, if multiple programs are using a DLL or OCX file the system does not know about all of them. In this case, if you uninstall one of the programs its uninstall routine may delete the library in question not knowing that another program needs it. When this is done the library's registration with the system no longer applies. And, if you just copy the DLL or OCX file back where it came from the system may not recognize it even if it's in the proper place. While this is rare, when this happens you may need to "register" the library file manually.

You can find the full details about how to use the REGSVR32.EXE file at this Microsoft link...

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=249873Web Link

The process is non-trivial so you should study the referenced page quite closely if you are going to attempt to register a library file. Indeed, it just might be easier to reinstall the application in question and let its installer take care of the regsitration process as part of the install.

In summary, if you choose to manually register a library file you will have to restart your computer in command prompt mode (called DOS mode in some cases). Once there, you will have to issue a command of the form...

Regsvr32 [/u] [/n] [/i[:cmdline]] dllname

It's possible this procedure may fail in which case you may need information from the developer of the library.

I guess the bottom line recommendation from Computer Knowledge would be to avoid this process if at all possible.[Smile]

Where Do You Get DLL Files?

As mentioned above, all of the library files you need should have been provided by the programs that require them. In the rare instance that you need one and can't find it on the Website of the program in question you might try...

DLL-Downloads.comWeb Link

 


Comments (8)

dhir singh
Said this on 2009-09-16 At 11:54 pm
I ma very thankful to joining computer knowledge
kalpesh
Said this on 2009-12-04 At 12:34 am
how dll competible for mor than one program at server side
DaBoss
Said this on 2009-12-04 At 12:54 am
In reply to #2
A DLL file is simply a library collection of routines with defined entry points and parameters for the most part. It's therefore quite possible to publish those interface standards for other programs to use and, if so, then that DLL file can easily work with other programs. A good programmer will register use of that DLL file so that Windows knows more than one program is using the file and will not erase it should the original program be uninstalled. If the DLL file is erased that can cause serious problems for the other program(s) using the DLL file.
chiboy okafor
Said this on 2010-05-29 At 08:59 am
when i going to recieve my message
gift chinenye
Said this on 2011-02-15 At 05:40 am
how can i register with you, and how i be able to learn through the use of computer.

[I have no registration for site updates unless you follow the Twitter feed as I generally use that to announce a new page if I remember. -DaBoss]
rick
Said this on 2011-05-26 At 11:26 am
dear mam/sir i have window7 in my laptop and i want to register to ocx files i ask if i register to ocx files there is no problem for my windows 7 and my laptop? thanks

[Can't personally say. --DaBoss]
ravi
Said this on 2011-10-10 At 07:36 am
Hi Experts
I have developed a activex control and registered on 64bit system. I have 64bit windows operating system and office 2010. When I install activeX using regsvr32.exe , it succesfully executed.
But the problem is when I try to use this activeX component in my application like in VBA7, it through an exception "Unspecified Error". I am not getting what is going wrong with this.
I am added this component to my toolbox using choose component option. and while trying drag n drop this component it through a Exception .

Plz Help

Thanks in advanced
Pooja
Said this on 2012-02-08 At 06:44 am
In reply to #7
Hi,

I created an 64 bit ocx in vs2010 in Windows server 2008 OS. I am successfull to register this ocx properly..Then i created a windows application in vs2010. I want to use this OCX in application but the ocx is not visible in tab choose toolbox items->com component in tools menubar. So how can i use this OCX. Please reply ASAP.

Thanks in advance
Pooja Kamra

[This article is for general information and not specific to any given product or compiler or installer. Please see the Microsoft instructions for specific information. --DaBoss]

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