You"re here because you have a file that has a file extension ending in .dll. Files with the file extension .dll can only be launched by certain applications. It"s possible that .dll files are data files rather than documents or media , which means they"re not meant to be viewed at all.

what is a .dll file?

These DLL files are also known as Dynamic Link Library files, and the content of a file affixed with the .dll extension is a set of compiled resources like directives, procedures and driver libraries that are required by built-in Windows applications and third party programs that has been developed for Microsoft Windows. These DLL files allow Windows programs to share common resources in compiled libraries with other applications.During runtime, some of these applications can be linked to these DLL resources. Most of these DLL files are already bundled with Microsoft Windows system s, though some programs provide its own DLL resources upon installation. Some of these DLL files facilitate communications between the Windows system, corresponding built-in or third party applications and driver resources required by external and internal I/O devices.

how to open a .dll file?

Launch a .dll file, or any other file on your PC, by double-clicking it. If your file associations are set up correctly, the application that"s meant to open your .dll file will open it. It"s possible you may need to download or purchase the correct application. It"s also possible that you have the correct application on your PC, but .dll files aren"t yet associated with it. In this case, when you try to open a .dll file, you can tell Windows which application is the correct one for that file. From then on, opening a .dll file will open the correct application.

applications that open a .dll file

Microsoft Windows Operating System

Microsoft Windows Operating System platforms mostly used files with .ANI extension, a graphic file format used for animated mouse cursors, which are also defined as Windows Animated Cursor. These files have the same functions with CUR file format or better known as the Static Cursor; its distinction is that being an animated cursor with the use of strings of images to show animation. The format is based on the Microsoft RIFF file format, which is utilized as storage for keeping the individual frames, which are typical Windows icons of the animation. This type of file is usually integrated in a customized theme for desktop, and is helpful to personalize the CPU system. Its final animation is designed with some icon frames are used for showing a single image after another to generate animation. Despite a number of frames using the icon format, part of the stored data in the animated cursor file handle the order of the step, length, title, and the author of the animation.

a word of warning

Be careful not to rename the extension on .dll files, or any other files. This will not change the file type. Only special conversion software can change a file from one file type to another.

what is a file extension?

A file extension is the set of three or four characters at the end of a filename; in this case, .dll. File extensions tell you what type of file it is, and tell Windows what programs can open it. Windows often associates a default program to each file extension, so that when you double-click the file, the program launches automatically. When that program is no longer on your PC, you can sometimes get an error when you try to open the associated file.

Senior Technology Writer

Someone sent you a e-mail DLL file and you don't know how to open it? Maybe you found a DLL file on your computer and were wondering what it was? Windows may tell you that you cannot open it, or in the worst case, you may encounter a corresponding error message related to the DLL file.

Before you can open a DLL file, you need to find out what kind of file the extension is. DLL file.

Tip: Incorrect DLL file association errors can be a symptom of other underlying issues within your Windows operating system. These invalid entries can also produce associated symptoms such as slow Windows startups, computer freezes, and other PC performance issues. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you scan your Windows registry for invalid file associations and other issues related to a fragmented registry.

Answer:

DLL files have Web Files, which is predominantly associated with.

DLL files are also associated with CorelDraw Export/Import Filter, Dynamic Link Library and FileViewPro.

Additional types of files may also use the DLL file extension. If you are aware of any other file formats that use the DLL file extension, please contact us so we can update our information accordingly.

How to open your DLL file:

The fastest and easy way Opening your DLL file means double-clicking on it. IN in this case Windows system she will choose the necessary program to open your DLL file.

In case your DLL file does not open, it is very likely that the necessary one is not installed on your PC. application program to view or edit files with DLL extensions.

If your PC opens the DLL file, but it's the wrong application, you'll need to change your Windows registry file association settings. In other words, Windows associates DLL file extensions with the wrong program.

Install optional products - FileViewPro (Solvusoft) | | | |

DLL Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME):

• mime application/octet-stream

DLL File Analysis Tool™

Not sure what type the DLL file is? Do you want to get precise information about a file, its creator and how it can be opened?

Now you can instantly get all the necessary information about the DLL file!

Revolutionary DLL File Analysis Tool™ scans, analyzes and reports detailed information about the DLL file. Our patent-pending algorithm quickly analyzes the file and provides detailed information within seconds in a clear, easy-to-read format.†

In just a few seconds, you'll know exactly what type of DLL file you have, the application associated with the file, the name of the user who created the file, the file's security status, and other useful information.

To get started free analysis file, simply drag and drop your DLL file inside the dotted line below or click "Browse My Computer" and select the file. The DLL file analysis report will be shown below, right in the browser window.

Drag the DLL file here to start analysis

View my computer »

Please also check my file for viruses

Your file is being analyzed... please wait.

It happens that it feels like you’ve been using a computer for a long time, you know all the main programs, even friends sometimes ask you to help you figure out this or that application, like here...

In general, I think you understand a similar feeling when you yourself are faced with one or another confusion in computer world. I was once stumped by the question of how to open a dll.

And the fact is that at that time I understood little about this issue. I have never seen files with this extension, so, as you probably understand, there was no discussion at all about how to open a dll file.

I sat. I figured it out. Happened! I share my experience.

Section 1. How to open dll: definition of concept

As it turns out, files with this extension represent a library. Honestly, if we delve deeper into the etymological meaning, we learn that dll is an abbreviation that can be deciphered as, and translated into our native language, this means that a file of this format is truly a special library containing various program codes and resources.

What makes it unique? It has the ability to connect dynamically.

The resources for such a file can be anything: images, text materials, audio files, videos, cursors, and many other elements that are used by applications installed on your computer.

But I would like to warn you right away...

Before you set yourself such a task and try to open a dll, think about whether it’s worth doing this at all. Why? After consulting with specialists, I learned that it is possible to view and change files of this kind, but, however, only with the help of a special software. However, this should be done very carefully, because... this may result in complete inoperability of programs using these files.

Section 2. How to open dll. detailed instructions

Method one. Cygnys Hex Editor

In the computer world, there are special programs called disassemblers, which allow you not only to access, but also to change the code of dll files. It appears completely logical question. Or rather, even two.

1. Where can you find and download such a program? What is it called?
2. Is it possible to do this for free?

I answer both at once. Similar applications so many. Personally, I use a free and very effective version called Cygnys Hex Editor. I liked the latter for several reasons. First of all, due to its simple interface, and secondly, due to the fact that it does not require tedious installation. To download it, you just need to use the direct link on the official website of the manufacturer.

Download and you can use it almost immediately. The information contained in the dll file will open on the computer screen in a fairly convenient way. At the same time, both in the form of a table with a set of hexadecimal codes, and in a more familiar display - as text characters. You can read, study and, if necessary, make the necessary changes. Moreover, amendments made to one of the tables will simultaneously automatically change in the second. Convenient, right? There is no need to do any extra work.

Method two. Resource Hacker

You can answer the question of how to open a dll for yourself differently. If you need to view and replace some resources in your dynamic library files, use some specialized program. Personally, I chose the Resource Hacker viewer for myself. With its help, I can not only see and change the code inside the file, but also monitor appearance resource that is created using code. The interface of this program is very simple and understandable even for beginners. It allows you to replace not only the image, but also the audio or video file with your own. Moreover, all this happens not even at the code level, but at more high level objects. This application is also provided free of charge.

With help Resource Tuner you can open executable files such as .EXE, .DLL, .OCX, screensavers (.SCR) and many others. By opening the file, you gain access to the file's resources and can replace icons, cursors, and graphics in various formats, change lines in the menu, dialog boxes and other user interface elements.

However, it is worth keeping in mind that the resources in the executable file are separate from the program code, and by changing the program interface, you do not gain access to the program code. Using the resource editor, you can change program controls. The program code cannot be changed using the resource editor.

For more serious changes (which, however, will not lead to anything good without sufficient experience in programming applications for Windows), we recommend using PE Explorer (PE file structure editor) or FlexHex (hex editor for binary files).

Opening an EXE or DLL file in Resource Tuner

Supports multiple ways to open files. To open a file for viewing and editing, click the button Open File on the toolbar or select the command File > Open from the menu. The drop-down menu next to the button on the toolbar gives you quick access to a list of recently opened files. The same list can be obtained with the command File > Recent Files from the program menu. The number of files in the list is configured in the dialog Customize.

You can also open the file using Resource Tuner directly from Windows Explorer by clicking on the file right click and selecting Open with Resource Tuner from the context menu.

Or you can simply drag and drop the file icon from Windows Explorer onto the Resource Tuner icon on the desktop or onto the window of the running Resource Tuner.

You can also open the file from the command line.
For example: restuner.exe filename.exe

When opening a file, Resource Tuner performs several automatic operations: it unpacks the file if it detects that it was packed using UPX, then it checks the file structure and resources for possible mistakes, and finally rebuilding the damaged resources in accordance with the executable file format specification.

Errors when opening a file

If an error occurs when opening a file, it is most likely for three reasons: the file is protected, the file is 16-bit, or it is not an executable file at all.

1. Error: The file is damaged, compressed by a packer or protected by a protector.

There is a very good chance that the file has been compressed to reduce its size. There are dozens of packers and protectors for executable files, and new ones appear all the time. Resource Tuner supports unpacking of only one, but the most common packer - UPX. Other packers are not supported, and you will have to unpack the file yourself before you can open the file for viewing or editing.

This situation is not considered a program error. We are not going to fight the attempts of other program authors to protect their creations from hacking, nor support the unpacking of several dozen different packagers, including both commercial products and homemade products.

2. Error: The file is defined as 16-bit NE Executable. This format is not supported!

Our programs only work with 32- and 64-bit PE files. The NE format (short for "New Executable") is a 16-bit application format left over from older versions of Windows 3.xx. With the advent of Windows 95, this format is considered obsolete and is not used, although it can be executed on modern platforms from Microsoft. We do not support 16-bit files and do not intend to support them.

3. Error: The file is not an EXE or DLL file. At all!

Resource Tuner does not detect a file by extension. If you rename the extension of an executable file, say, correct .EXE to .TXT, or remove the extension altogether, Resource Tuner will not be fooled by this: when opening a file, the program analyzes the file header inside the file, and does not look at the extension at all.

Therefore, if Resource Tuner tells you that the file is not executable, then it is so. If for some reason someone added a .DLL extension to a text file in a game package, then the file does not cease to be text and does not become dynamic library. Don't be fooled by the file extension.

Which files do not make sense to open in the resource editor?

Despite the fact that Resource Tuner is designed to open and edit any 32/64-bit executable files, there are some types of EXE files that have virtually no resources.

1. Files created using Visual Basic.

In such files, there is nothing in the resources section except an icon and version information. Lines and dialogue in programs written in Visual BASIC are stored in their own proprietary format, and they do not use the standard resource section.

2. EXE files of gigabytes or more in size.

Since Resource Tuner is a 32-bit program, there are natural restrictions on placing the image of the file being opened in virtual memory within the first gigabyte. A file of a gigabyte or more in size simply will not fit there.

3. Self-extracting archives in the form of EXE files.

In such files, there is nothing in the resources except an icon and version information, and maybe even that. Essentially, this is archived data equipped with a subroutine for unpacking.

4. Installers of other programs.

In such files, there is nothing in the resources except an icon and version information. Very similar to point 3. An installer file can be thought of as a container that contains another .EXE file in compressed form and a routine to extract it. In addition, programs for creating installers use different algorithms to store archived data within themselves.

Download your free trial!

Resource Tuner runs on all versions of Windows
from 2000 and XP to 8 and 10.

Minimum system requirements:
CPU Intel Pentium® or AMD K5 166 MHz
16 MB RAM

- Extension (format) is the characters at the end of the file after the last dot.
- The computer determines the file type by its extension.
- By Windows default does not show file name extensions.
- Some characters cannot be used in the file name and extension.
- Not all formats are related to the same program.
- Below are all the programs that can be used to open the DLL file.

Resource Hacker is a free and simple utility that can modify, rename, add, delete or extract executable files, resource files (*.RES) in the operating system Windows shell. The program includes a built-in resource script compiler and decompiler. The application allows you to change pictures of cursors, icons, view raster images and listen to WAV or MIDI audio files. Allows you to significantly save resources by saving them in image, script and binary files. Changes resources, you can easily replace the icon of any program with the image you like. The program will help in adding resources...

IrfanView – free viewer graphic files, the distinctive features of which are small size and functionality. IrfanView supports a large number of formats, has clear interface and the necessary set of functions. So, with its help you can not only view images, but also rotate them at any angle, do minor color corrections, remove red-eye from photos, etc. Also, using IrfanView you can take screenshots (both of the entire screen and individual areas), tear out icons and icons from various files, rename files according to a predefined pattern, and...

Universal Extractor is a convenient utility for unpacking various archives, as well as some additional file types. This program is primarily suitable for those users who create archives on a computer, but only download various archives from the Internet and then unpack them. The Universal Extractor utility copes with this task quite well. It allows you to unpack all known archives, as well as dll, exe, mdi and other types of files. In fact, the program can serve, to some extent, as a kind of program installer, because it allows you to unpack some of the installers and then run...

ResEdit is designed to help you with programming. It was created to help developers only, but can now also be used to make changes to PE files. Can change text, buttons, pictures, commands and much more. The program contains a basic editor for creating or changing pictures, icons and mouse cursors. Can generate C++ code for dialogs and menus. Just like in other similar programs, there are no limit options “Return” and “Repeat”. Supports customizable layout, you can drag and drop panels and save them wherever you need. The program is very convenient, supports tabs,...

FileOptimizer - convenient application for file compression, created by one of the independent teams of programmers. This application features improved compression algorithms and high speed work. The program allows you to compress files of almost all types, including archives, text formats, image formats, etc. Also, this program can work with scripts, as well as through command line, which will be especially useful for experienced users. For novice users, everything is very simple. The program is integrated into the context menu, which allows you to very quickly compress files located on any drive and in any folder.