DLL files are small elements that are used to perform various simple actions within the Windows operating system. Its acronym in English stands for dynamic link library , and it is very rarely necessary to delete them. Although sometimes we will have to do without them, because some of these files may be incompatible or generate errors on another existing one. In this article we will teach you how to delete these DLLs in Windows with ease.
Index( )
- What should you do to be able to delete a DLL file on your computer?
- Make sure your PC is no longer using that process
- Install a suitable application like DLL Archive
- What is the procedure to run DLL Archive to remove your DLL files?
- What steps to follow to verify that your PC no longer has DLL processes running?
- Is it possible to prevent your PC from storing DLL files in its subsystem?
What should you do to be able to delete a DLL file on your computer?
This type of element can be discarded like any other, you just have to locate its root and send it to the recycling bin. However, it is important to take into account some things, because if we make a mistake, we could run the risk of damaging the PC’s operating system and then it would be more complicated to reinstall it to recover the computer’s performance .
The function these files perform ranges from running features to actions of third-party software. It has the possibility of executing some of the operations already existing on the computer faster, and many more functions possible in Windows.
The most recommended is to confirm if this DLL is necessary or not. Although it is a bit complicated, you can consult it through a quick search and thus verify. If you are not completely convinced, it is better that you do not carry out any action of this type, you can take your PC to a specialized support in case a DLL affects the operation of your computer.
Make sure your PC is no longer using that process
If you’ve already identified the name and location of the DLL file, you’d better confirm that it’s not running on your computer. To do this, you can enter the task manager by pressing the key combination ‘Ctrl + Alt + Delete’ or by right clicking on the Windows taskbar.
Once the file manager opens, we access the ‘Processes’ tab and locate the DLL we want to remove by name. If it is running, we will have to right click on this item and click on ‘End process’ . Then we only have to confirm this action and that’s it, we will have executed the DLL that we want to delete. This step is essential, otherwise it cannot be removed.
There is a possibility that we will find it a bit difficult to do all this procedure, and we may even end up deleting the wrong DLL or process. Despite this, we can use some third-party tools to make this process faster and safer.
Install a suitable application like DLL Archive
A recommended app to perform these actions is DLL Archive. It is an app developed several years ago , but it continues to fully fulfill its function and purpose. To acquire this program we must follow the following steps:
- We access the official DLL Archive download pagefrom any browser, it is best to use Google Chrome.
- We acquire the installer and follow the steps indicated in the executable. It’s much better to do it manually to avoid adding unnecessary thingslike search bars.
- A shortcut will be created on the desktop and we open the program.
What is the procedure to run DLL Archive to remove your DLL files?
Once the application is open on our PC, we must press the ‘Search’ button at the bottom right of the window. This will make the program analyze all the files of this extension that are installed in the Windows operating system of our computer. Next, the program will classify the items into categories.
This classification will show us those DLL files that are unnecessary, obsolete or generate a conflict between the different programs installed on the PC.
To delete a DLL, we only have to select it in the list and double click on its item. Instantly, a small window will open and we proceed to click on ‘Enabled’ to deactivate its use and remain in the ‘Disabled’ category.
What steps to follow to verify that your PC no longer has DLL processes running?
Knowing if a DLL file is running on your computer is very easy. We only have to open the Windows file manager, but, on this occasion, it will be necessary to search for the process alphabetically . Then we select the option ‘ Show process tree ‘. There we can view all the processes related to the file, and confirm if they are running.
This process is usually done in very specific cases. This is because the action of DLL Files is very efficient in disabling these items on the PC. In fact, this program doesn’t completely remove these files from the system, its job is to move them to a non-executable folder, in case we need to use them at another time.
Is it possible to prevent your PC from storing DLL files in its subsystem?
With DLL Files, it becomes difficult to prevent this from happening. If we want these elements not to be stored in the computer subsystem, we will have to locate them manually. Either through the PC browser or in the root of the program and then delete everything contained in your ‘backup’. The work of this application is based more on disabling these elements instead of eliminating them completely.