How to install .DLL Files to Windows

Installing .DLL files is a relatively simple process. On a 64-bit Windows system, you can use both 32-bit and 64-bit DLL files. Place 32-bit DLLs in the '/Windows/SysWOW64' directory and 64-bit DLLs in the '/Windows/System32' directory.

Copy the .dll file to the appropriate location below.

1. 64-Bit .DLL: *:\windows\System32\
2. 32-Bit .DLL: *:\windows\SysWOW64\
3. ARM64 .DLL: *:\windows\System32\
4. ARM .DLL: *:\windows\SysWOW64\

Make a backup before replacing .dll files. If the .dll file already exists, attempt installing the .dll directly to the software instead. If you're unsure if the installed application is 32-bit or 64-bit you can install both versions of the file to each folder.

How to install .DLL Files to Software

Installing .dll files directly into the software application folder where the corresponding .exe file is located offers several advantages and is generally a safer approach than immediately placing them in the Windows system folders.

Put the .dll file in the same directory as the application's .exe file. To find this directory, check the shortcut properties and look at the target location, as shown in the image above.

1. Right click the application shortcut.
2. Right click and select properties.
3. Copy the target location.

Navigate to the target location you copied and place the .dll files into this folder.

The instructions above are for installing .dll files to application folders. If you are unsure which application is having issues, or if this does not work, another option is to install the .dll file directly to Windows.