subject: The Way to Keep DLL Files Working For You [print this page] Author: Carl Haugen Author: Carl Haugen
If you could look at a list of every file on your computer, you might notice that a lot of them end with three letters: dll. This is because this file format is used by a lot of programs, including the Windows operating system itself. These files are an integral part of your system, and Windows has to know where all of them are on your computer. Tracking dll files is one reason it is important for you to regularly clean your computer's registry.
Dynamic Link Library Files Defined
Dynamic link library (dll) files are each containers for portions of code and instructions that your computer can run. They are stored in files separate from the main program file (which usually ends in .exe) for a couple of reasons. The first advantage to the code being separate like this is to make your computer run faster. The code in the dynamic link library files is only loaded into your system's memory when it is needed, keeping the total memory usage lower. The other big reason for these files is so programs can share the same code. As a very basic example, if you have a button that looks and acts the same on two different programs, you can use the same code to create and run that button. If it's in a library like this, it can be used by both programs without having to make an extra copy.
How Windows Finds DLLs
Because dynamic link library files contain code, they are usually very important to running the program or programs they belong with. This makes keeping track of them very important as well. In order to always know where these files are on your system, Windows uses a database called the registry. The information in the registry is vital to keep your software running. When things go wrong in the registry, your computer will also have trouble.
Problems In the Registry
The registry is a complex and very large database. Like all large and complex systems, problems will happen. With the registry, these problems can be caused by a lot of different actions. If a program crashes while it is trying to update the registry it may produce a mistake in the registry. If you shut down your computer incorrectly a mistake in the registry can happen. If a program isn't written correctly it might accidentally put mistakes in the registry. Even a small power surge or glitch can disrupt a registry update and cause corruption in the registry. With all the things that can go wrong, it is sometimes a wonder that the registry works at all.
Clean Your Registry Regularly
When enough errors accumulate in the registry, it will fail to do its job, and you will have trouble running your software. The most common registry problem is a dll file error, which usually means that Windows cannot find the file because of problems in the registry.
At this point, it's a good idea to find a registry cleaner and fix the problems completely. A registry cleaner will hunt down problems and restore your registry to good health, getting your computer back up and running again. Keeping your registry clean by running a registry cleaner both on a schedule and whenever you have a specific problem will make your computing life easier.About the Author:
Run a free RegZooka scan now at http://www.regzooka.com and be on your way to getting rid of registry errors for good!
