DLL files are integral to Microsoft operating systems. DLL expands to Dynamic Link Libraries. References to DLL files that need to be loaded for Microsoft operating system to work smoothly are contained in the Windows Registry. If a DLL files goes missing or is corrupted, the Windows operating system can fail to load or throw up error messages. Windows registry entries will have to be corrected to ensure that the references are correct or the DLL files will have to be copied back into the referenced location if they have gone missing.

The Windows operating system contains thousands of DLL files that are routinely used by the different applications. Some of the DLL files are shared by several applications. When two applications reference the same DLL file in the Windows registry you could get an error. In some situations two applications load their own versions of the same DLL and can refuse to recognize the version of the other. The diagnosis of this problem is incredibly frustrating. This type of problem is most common with device drivers. It is not surprising therefore that the DLL problems of Windows and the Windows Registry are often referred to as the "DLL hell"

Microsoft Windows 2000 upwards, a lot of effort has been made by Microsoft to get round this problem or solve it. The Windows installer was modified to check deep into the Windows Registry references and the Windows for DLL file versions to avoid duplicating DLL files in the Windows directory and Registry. Signed drivers have mitigated this problem to a large extent.
Disabled DLL files that are referenced in the Windows Registry can also throw up errors just as an old piece of software refuses to recognize a newer version of a DLL file. Some viruses and Trojans also trigger of missing DLL errors and fail to load DLL errors without basis.

So if you are faced with a DLL error, it is time to do a complete check of the system. Check the WindowsLibrary for the DLL file and make sure that it exists. Then, check the Windows Registry to ensure that the DLL file is being referenced correctly. The error can be set right by installing the DLL file into the library or setting right the reference in the windows registry.

A number of registry cleaners like RegCure can help you find the source of the DLL error. So, get a good registry cleaner that can scan the registry and pinpoint all DLL errors in the operating system on a daily, weekly on monthly basis depending on the frequency with which you install and uninstall applications.

At the author's site you can get a comparative rating of the registry cleaners and the trial versions of the software available on the site are extremely useful for those who are willing to try a number of software before deciding on the one to buy!