Did someone email you a .DLL file and you're not sure how to open it? Maybe you have found a .DLL file on your computer and wondering what it's for? Windows might tell you that you can't open it, or in the worst case, you might encounter a .DLL file related error message.

Before you can open a .DLL file, you'll need to figure out what kind of file the .DLL file extension refers to.

What is .DLL File Extension ?

Compiled library file containing a set of procedures and/or drivers that are referenced and executed by a Windows program; allows multiple programs to access shared system functions through common libraries; may be dynamically linked into a program at runtime.

Many DLL files are provided with the Windows operating system, and others are included by Windows programs. They allow various program functions, such as communication with external devices and hard disk input and output. They may also be referenced by Mac cross-platform applications.

Deleting or modifying the contents of a DLL file may cause errors within the program that references the file. For this reason, DLL files generally should not be opened or edited. However, if an application tries to access a dll file that has been corrupted or is missing, that program will no longer work. In this case, installing a new version of the DLL file may be the easiest option. DLL-Files Fixer, for example, is a program designed to solve these types of errors. You can get a free trial of the software from their website and try it out.

Common DLL Filenames:

mfc42u.dll – A Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library required by some Windows programs to run. This DLL is included with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 and is most often located in the C:WindowsSystem32 directory. If you try to open a program and Windows reports that you’re missing mfc42u.dll, likely your Windows installation has been damaged. You can use a system restore point or your factory system repair disc to fix the issue. Other related files include mfc42u.dll, mfc40.dll, and mfc40u.dll.

mfc80u.dll – An MFC library required by some Windows programs created with Visual C++ 2005. If you’re missing this file, you can install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package to install it. Programs that use this DLL generally install it because it is not included with Windows by default. Other DLLs installed with the package include msvcr80.dll,msvcm80.dll, msvcp80.dll, mfc80.dll, mfcmifc80.dll, and mfcm80.dll.

mfc90u.dll – An MFC library required by some Windows programs created with Visual C++ 2008. If you’re missing this file, you can install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package to install it. Programs that use this DLL generally install it because it is not included with Windows by default. Other DLLs installed with the package include msvcr90.dll,msvcm90.dll, msvcp90.dll, mfc90.dll, mfcmifc90.dll, and mfcm90.dll.

mfc100u.dll – An MFC library required by some Windows programs created with Visual C++ 2010. If you’re missing this file, you can install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package to install it. Programs that use this DLL generally install it because it is not included with Windows by default. Other DLLs installed with the package include msvcr100.dll,msvcm100.dll, msvcp100.dll, mfc100.dll, mfcmifc100.dll, and mfcm100.dll.

How To Open .DLL Files

The fastest and easiest way to open your .DLL file is to double-click it. This allows the intelligence of Windows to decide the correct software application to open your .DLL file.

In the case that your .DLL file doesn't open, it is highly likely that you do not have the correct software application installed on your PC to view or edit .DLL file extensions.

If your PC opens the .DLL file, but it's the wrong application, you'll need to change your Windows registry file association settings. In other words, Windows is associating .DLL file extensions with the wrong software program.

.DLL file opener

Windows :
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Visual Studio 2013
Microsoft Visual FoxPro
Resource Hacker

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