Repair and Download shell32.dll Now

Sometimes Windows system displays error messages regarding corrupted or missing shell32.dll files. Situations like that can occur, for example, during a software installation process. Each software program requires certain resources, libraries, and source data to work properly. Corrupted or nonexistent shell32.dll file can therefore effect in failed execution of the started process.

shell32.dll file Windows Shell Common Dll. The file was developed by for use with software. Here you will find detailed information about the file and instructions how to proceed in the event of shell32.dll related errors on your device. You can also download shell32.dll file compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Vista, Windows XP devices which will (most probably) allow you to solve the problem.

Compatible with: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Vista, Windows XP

User popularity

3.1 Scanning for malicious software
3.2 System and driver update
3.3 System File Checker tool
3.4 System recovery

4 Download shell32.dll

4.1 List of shell32.dll file versions

File info

General information
Filename	shell32.dll
File extension	DLL
Description	Windows Shell Common Dll

Software
Program	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Author	Microsoft Corporation

Details
MIME type	application/octet-stream
File type	Dynamic link library
System	Windows NT 32-bit
Copyrights	© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Character set	Unicode
Language cod	English (U.S.)

Most common shell32.dll file related problems

There are various types of errors related to shell32.dll file. shell32.dll file may be located in wrong file directory on your device, may not be present in the system, or may be infected with malicious software and therefore not work correctly. Below is a list of most common error messages related to shell32.dll file. If you encounter one listed below (or similar), please consider the following suggestions.

shell32.dll is corrupted
shell32.dll cannot be located
Runtime Error - shell32.dll
shell32.dll file error
shell32.dll file cannot be loaded. Module was not found
cannot register shell32.dll file:
shell32.dll file could not be loaded
shell32.dll file doesn't exist

shell32.dll

Application could not be started because shell32.dll file is missing. Reinstall the application to solve the problem.

Problems related to shell32.dll can be addressed in various ways. Some methods are meant only for advanced users. If you don't have confidence in your skills, we suggest consulting a specialist. Fixing shell32.dll file errors should be approached with utmost caution for any mistakes can result in unstable or unproperly working system. If you have the necassary skills, please proceed.

How to fix shell32.dll errors in just few steps?

Remember, before taking any action related to system files perform a backup copy of your data!

shell32.dll file errors can be caused by various factors, so its is beneficial to try to fix them using various methods.

Step 1: Scan your computer for any malicious software

Windows files are commonly attacked by malicious software that prevents them from working properly. First step in addressing problems with shell32.dll file or any other Windows system files should be scanning the system for malicious software using an antivirus tool.

If by any chance you don't have any antivirus software installed on your system yet, you should do it immediately. Unprotected system is not only a source of file errors, but, more importantly, makes your system vulnerable to many dangers. If you don't know which antivirus tool to choose, consult this Wikipedia article – comparison of antivirus software.

Step 2: Update your system and drivers.

Installing relevant Microsoft Windows patches and updates may solve your problems related to shell32.dll file. Use dedicated Windows tool to perform the update.

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "Windows Update" in the search field
Choose the appropriate software program (name may vary depending on your system version)
Check if your system is up to date. If any unapplied updates are listed, install them immediately.
After the update has been done,restart your computer in order to complete the process.

Beside updating the system, it is recommended that you install latest device drivers, as drivers can influence proper working of shell32.dll or other system files. In order to do so, go to your computer or device producer's website where you will find information regarding latest driver updates.

Step 3: Use System File Checker (SFC) tool

System File Checker is a Microsoft Windows tool. As the name suggests, the tool is used for identyfing and addressing system file related errors, including those related to shell32.dll file. After an error related to%fileextension% file has been discovered, the program attempts to automatically replace the shell32.dll file with properly working version. To use the tool:

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "cmd" in the search field
Locate "Command Prompt" result – don't run it yet:
Click the right mouse button and select "Run as Administrator" option
Type "sfc /scannow" in console prompt to start the program and follow the instructions

Step 4: Restoring Windows system

Another approach is to restore system to previous state, before the shell32.dll file error occured. In order to restore your system, follow the instructions below

Go to the Windows "Start" menu
Type "System Restore" in the search field
Start the system restore tool – it's name may differ depending on version of the system
The application will guide you through the process – read the messages carefully
After the process has finished, restart your computer.

If all the above-mentioned methods failed and the shell32.dll file problem has not been resolved, proceed to the next step. Remember that the following steps are intended only for advanced users.

Download and replace shell32.dll file

The last solution is to manually download and replace shell32.dll file in appropriate folder on the disk. Select file version compatible with your operating system and click the "Download" button. Next, go to your web browser's "Downloaded" folder and copy the downloaded shell32.dll file.

Go to the folder where the file should be located and paste the downloaded file. Below is the list of shell32.dll file example directory paths.

Windows 10: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows 8.1: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows 8: 1: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows 7: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
Windows 7: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
Windows Vista: ---
Windows Vista: ---
Windows XP: ---

If the steps did not solve your shell32.dll file problem, you should consult a professional. A probability exists that the error(s) might be device-related and therefore should be resolved at the hardware level. A fresh operating system installation might be necessary – a faulty system installation process can result in data loss.

File versions list

Filename shell32.dll

System Windows 10

File size 20374432 bytes

Date 2017-03-18

Download

File details
	MD5	d324fb472a72f9557435249166ed2c3e
	SHA1	f10a4fadd2f85279ead74cda6f95e7ac6146cded
	SHA256	6d23d355aa64e54b892d92bdf71a39485684ca362bcaa69b15636dd6f81b40f0
	CRC32	41a99a6b
	Example file location	C:\Windows\System32\

Filename shell32.dll

System Windows 8.1

File size 19734424 bytes

Date 2014-11-21

Download

File details
	MD5	2d7ef5aac6d139cbc78eff7af05afb28
	SHA1	94b139658fed43bc51803beed37fad364bb122bb
	SHA256	fb6ab5729a450e7cb0b385984c908121b15cd302ab3f959f481c5d7ca6eb6093
	CRC32	6535b1dc
	Example file location	C:\Windows\System32\

Filename shell32.dll

System Windows 8

File size 17559552 bytes

Date 2012-07-26

Download

File details
	MD5	19e82140190d8dc198c27296abff4912
	SHA1	7a8f7aad930eae1264890b276bd10e5a5a5bab31
	SHA256	41b5eb7d846e31192f4299170a282ae19757cadb3cfc1850d65b15b448140e7f
	CRC32	d3810941
	Example file location	1: C:\Windows\System32\

Filename shell32.dll

System Windows 7

File size 12872192 bytes

Date -0001-11-30

Download

File details
	MD5	16ab4bd2acc52109f43739bf0e89e18f
	SHA1	1ba58d221a2c95178ae479affc29585b3a37bd01
	SHA256	8bf53004f8a413598b46c2ecfba1ea581836e0e0839047471622f31a4a065dd7
	CRC32	65abc586
	Example file location	C:\Windows\SysWOW64\

Filename shell32.dll

System Windows 7

File size 14174208 bytes

Date 2010-11-21

Download

File details
	MD5	26e716ed95dc48cf6e5ac046089366af
	SHA1	2bd96b8ae5ae3ad14c16d2a98a91a9a9f26d179d
	SHA256	f686d557b7ac1688efc7cb48311290d713d3db2e9e61e947098a7c80e3a1b9e9
	CRC32	c892cb16
	Example file location	C:\Windows\SysWOW64\

Filename shell32.dll

System Windows Vista

File size 11584000 bytes

Date -0001-11-30

Download

File details
	MD5	43466a7ff452883b68f52b963023949c
	SHA1	27ed11736e24b2c0a4af37448d74e044622b3a15
	SHA256	83767e4b0bba094c90fedfd22295204e0272c5a188cb241a308365555e2089d2
	CRC32	3b420f4a
	Example file location	---

Filename shell32.dll

System Windows Vista

File size 12897792 bytes

Date 2009-04-11

Download

File details
	MD5	8a91f7274d88c2abdc144a2d39ea5d7b
	SHA1	9c8dd99463c342c99a87011c57ea0f7021460cbe
	SHA256	ac655fce364e4b789a8cf416f6c54af237061e6217b5e4e3363e2b4e03b8063c
	CRC32	01cf3d3b
	Example file location	---

Filename shell32.dll

System Windows XP

File size 8461312 bytes

Date 2008-04-14

Download

File details
	MD5	0cf50b1f45dab08430c1dbb79fe2ca5b
	SHA1	0fb2e1e402451807479f12be4a2936a7f20f0549
	SHA256	7c201e812138e2b9cbc2aa94e41d5573775d893b8104833a997acc79486d9a3a
	CRC32	3357a959
	Example file location	---