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What is shell32.dll?

The genuine shell32.dll file is a software component of Microsoft Windows Operating System by .
"Shell32.dll" is an essential component of the Microsoft Windows Operating System. It is a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) providing many functions of the Windows Shell, the graphical user interface (GUI) for Windows that includes the desktop, Start Menu, Autoplay, and Taskbar, and in some versions also Flip3D and the charms. "Shell32.dll" is especially needed to open web pages and files. It is a Component Object Model (COM) "server", usable by managed (.NET) or native code, residing in "C:\Windows\System32". (On 64-bit systems that is the 64-bit version; the 32-bit version is in "\SysWOW64".) It should not and essentially cannot be removed: if anything other than Windows Update or TrustedInstaller deletes or replaces it, Windows Resource Protection (WRP) will silently restore it from a system cache. (WRP was introduced with Vista; in XP or earlier, Windows File Protection serves a similar purpose.)

shell32 stands for Windows Shell 32 (or 64)-bit DLL

Shell32.dll is a Windows DLL file. DLL is the abbreviation for Dynamic Link Library. DLL files are needed by programs or web browser extensions, because they contain program code, data, and resources. The following information can help you determine if shell32.dll is a Windows system file or if it belongs to an application that you can trust.

Click to Run a Free Scan for shell32.dll related errors

Shell32.dll file information

The process known as Windows Shell Common Dll belongs to software Microsoft Windows Operating System by Microsoft (www.microsoft.com).

Description: The original shell32.dll is an important part of Windows and rarely causes problems. The shell32.dll file is located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 13,179,660 bytes (28% of all occurrences), 8,462,848 bytes and 16 more variants. file.net/process/shell32.dll.html 
The application is loaded during the Windows boot process (see Registry key: ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad). The file is a Microsoft signed file. Shell32.dll is able to record keyboard and mouse inputs. Therefore the technical security rating is 10% dangerous, but you should also take into account the user reviews.

Uninstalling this variant: In case of any problems with shell32.dll, you might want to do the following:
  1) uninstall the software Microsoft Windows using the Uninstall a Program function of Windows Control Panel (Windows: Start, Settings, Control Panel, Uninstall a Program)
  2) ask Customer Support to assist you.

Recommended: Identify shell32.dll related errors

Important: Some malware disguises itself as shell32.dll, particularly when not located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the shell32.dll process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

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User Comments

shell32.dll is a library which contains Windows Shell API functions, which are used when opening web pages and files.
   
it'a a part of windows operating system
  jordy  
It is the file which contains all the dialog boxes, context menu's , all the window icons and many other important things. Like whatever strings of text we read in0windows are preserved in shell32.dll. One of the most important file in windows. The wfp service take cares of this file and other system files too, so that they don't get replaced under any condition.
  Puneet Batish   (further information)
windows interface
  janey  
The purpose of shell32.dll is to provide file access support and webpage opening support to caller applications. One of the applications that make use of shell32.dll is Internet Explorer. Also Windows Explorer makes use of the same shell32.dll API calls due to its tight integration with Internet Explorer. This dll is an important part of the operating system, and failure to open this dll will likely cause your computer not to boot up at all.
  Alex   (further information)
WINDOWS SHELL DLL
   
part of the Windows opeation system, and running every time the windows starts up.
  David  
library
  sisi   (further information)
i think is essential
  suleiman fuseini  
It is a key log worm
  xx  
Windows 10 Pro x64 here my shell32.dll shows in the MUIcache located at HKEY_Classes_Root\LocalSettings\software\Microsoft\windows\shell\Muicache the actual file size is 21,704kbs.
  Sonya  
I should've read the comments. I accidentally removed it from windows/system32 and my computer wouldn't work right after a reboot. I'm trying to repair by using the "sfc /scannow" command on CMD (had to reboot in safe mode with command prompt). FeelsBadMan. I hope this works. I'm not moving anything out of System32 ever again.
  iBornstellar   (further information)
All you people who think you don't need shell32.dll or think it's dangerous should grow a brain. Without shell32.dll, you wouldn't be able to run explorer.exe, which is another vital process. Without explorer.exe, the only thing that will show up is a black screen. Just try going into task manager and restarting explorer.exe. The screen flashes black for a while. Well, imagine that it was always blank and you couldn't do anything. And, no it is not a key log worm. Go remove it for yourself if you're so suspicious.
  walter  
I'm 100% certain without shell32.dll access, operations, and functions into windows charms bar, and task bar you will not be able to perform any opening operation into either interface or API displayed in task bar, charms, or tools. Some of files in my PC got corrupt but was to the point of disrupting physical operations such as booting, loading device drivers,POST Testing, and loading OS. DLL's are design to call on other link libraries in a developers application or software. It is a system file and the program is directly loaded into the OS of windows. Let me further inspect. Lets see what happens if i delete the file from C:\windows\system32\shell32.dll
  Cameron Patterson  
Without shell32.dll interaction with the current OS and its functions will cause a freeze in the current interaction with the desktop and any other graphical interface. Shell32.dll host multiple processes that host multiple parent and child processes. It is highly essential to the windows OS. It does copy input of keystrokes and user input but that for future experiment into upgrading the windows OS and adding new features and updates.
  Cameron Patterson  
because one of my games seems to be unable to access shell32.dll, it will not work.
   
shell32.dll is not a virus if you delete it your computer gets trashed XD
  vendingmachine  
shell32.dll contains important coding files, and helps with browser extensions. it also contains more then 300 icons, used by windows for it's applications, start menu etc.
  Odoacer the barbarian  
It also holds some of windows' icons
  Icon  
SHELL32.dll contains not only image files, but also data for the system. Do not delete SHELL32 unless you want your Files Explorer to break. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGwEIriq1MM Click on the link below for a video that shows what's inside SHELL32.dll. Static sounds are data, of course.
  Archive94  

Summary: Average user rating of shell32.dll: based on 35 votes with 20 user comments. 25 users think shell32.dll is essential for Windows or an installed application. 2 users think it's probably harmless. 2 users think it's neither essential nor dangerous. 6 users think shell32.dll is dangerous and recommend removing it. One user is not sure about it.


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Best practices for resolving shell32 issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with shell32. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.

Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.

To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.

To help you analyze the shell32.dll process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.



Other processes

shell32.dll [all]