What Is SHELL32.dll? Is It A Virus Or Malware?

What is SHELL32.dll?

SHELL32.dll is an DLL file which belongs to the process Windows Shell Common Dll which comes with the Software Microsoft Windows Operating System developed by the software developer Microsoft Windows Operating System.

The .dll extension of the SHELL32.dll file specifies it is a Dynamic-link library file.

Malware and viruses are also transmitted through DLL files. So we must be sure before opening any unknown DLL file on our computers. I have faced these DLL corrupt or malware issues many times.

PRO TIP: If you are facing System related issues on Windows like registry errors or System files being deleted by viruses, malware or System crashes then we recommend downloading Restoro software which scans your Windows PC for any issues and fixes them within a few minutes.

We will check if the SHELL32.dll file is a virus or malware. Whether it should be deleted to keep your computer safe? Read more below.

Is SHELL32.dll safe to run? Is it a virus or malware?

Let’s check the location of this DLL file to determine whether this is legit software or a virus. The location of this file is mentioned below.

File Location / Danger rating: 13% dangerous

To check whether the DLL file is legit you can start the Task Manager. Then click on the columns field and add Verified Signer as one of the columns.

Now, look at the Verified Signer value for SHELL32.dll process if it says “Unable to verify” then the file may be a virus.

File Name SHELL32.dll
Software Developer Microsoft Windows Operating System
File Type DLL
File Location 13% dangerous
Software Microsoft Windows Operating System

 

SHELL32.dll is a Virus or Not : SHELL32.dll is not a Virus

If the developer of the software is legitimate, then it is not a virus or malware. If the developer is not listed or seems suspicious, you can remove it using the uninstall program.

How to Fix SHELL32.dll Errors

To fix the missing SHELL32.dll file you can perform a system restore to restore all missing DLL files on your system.

If the system restores didn’t fix the DLL issue, then you can run System File Checker to fix corrupt DLL files on your Windows system.

How To Remove or Uninstall SHELL32.dll

To remove SHELL32.dll from your computer do the following steps one by one.

  1. If the DLL file is part of a software program or game, then it will also have an uninstall option. Then you can run the Uninstaller located a directory like C:>Microsoft Windows Operating System>Windows Shell Common Dll orMicrosoft Windows Operating System >SHELL32.dll_uninstall.dll
  2. Or the SHELL32.dll was installed using the Windows Installer then to uninstall it Go to System Settings and open Add Or Remove Programs Option.
  3. Then Search for SHELL32.dll or the software name Microsoft Windows Operating System in the search bar or try out the developer name Microsoft Windows Operating System.
  4. Then click on it and select the Uninstall Program option to remove SHELL32.dll file from your computer. Now the software Microsoft Windows Operating System program along with the file SHELL32.dll will be removed from your computer.

SHELL32.dll DLL Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix issues with SHELL32.dll?

You can fix most of SHELL32.dll issues by updating your drivers, uninstalling and reinstalling the software, disabling the SHELL32.dll.dll service, or contacting Microsoft Windows Operating System support for further assistance.

Can I remove SHELL32.dll from my computer?

Yes, you can remove SHELL32.dll dll file from your computer if you no longer need it. To do this, go to the Control Panel, select “Programs and Features,” and locate the Microsoft Windows Operating System software. Right-click on the software and select “Uninstall.”

Does Microsoft Windows Operating System software’s SHELL32.dll file work on Mac computers?

No, SHELL32.dll DLL file associated with Microsoft Windows Operating System software is designed for Windows computers only. So, it does not work on Mac computers.

I hope you were able to learn more about the SHELL32.dll dll file and how to remove it.

Let us know in the comments below if you face any other SHELL32.dll issues.

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