I'm looking for some help regarding a missing shell.dll file. A program I have is not running without it. I'm running Windows 2000.

Can anyone help me?

I've attached a zipped copy of my Shell.dll file to this reply (not done this before so I'm not sure if it'll work!). It is off of my Windows 2000 SP4 system.

First, look in the "C:\Winnt\System32\DLLcache" folder and make sure that Shell.dll isn't there. If you can't see any DLL files at all, then you need to switch on hidden and system files by going to Options on the Tools menu.

If Shell.dll is definitely not there, then download the file that I've attached and extract it into this directory. If you have no ZIP software to deal with this kind of file, download a trial copy of WinZIP from http://www.winzip.com.

Reboot your PC afterwards.

Let us know if that helps

Disclaimer: Altering system files can be risky and D-A-L.com and its members can accept no responsibility for adverse effects suffered after following the advice that is freely given on this site.

Okay, I found it!!! I have the file there, so why is this program not finding it?

Was the file where I said or somewhere different?

You might need to re-register it. To do this:

Click the Start menu
Click Run
Type Regsvr32 C:\Winnt\System32\DLLcache\Shell.dll

That might help. If it doesn't, follow the instructions to use the file that I attached to my previous post.

Let us know what happens

I tried re-registering the file, and I have attached a .gif of the error message i received. I also tried replacing my current file with yours and no luck.

I've got the program working on a different computer, so I'm not in a huge rush to solve this problem, but I'm still curious about what's going on.

Thanks for your help so far.

Rannoch, as this is a different problem, could you please post a new thread in the Windows XP section of the forum. Thank you.

Msimmerly, it sounds like your Regsvr32.exe program has done a runner. Anyone know how to get it back?

what does that mean?

Many system files (such as Shell.dll) have to be "registered" with Windows so that it knows that they exist and where it can find them. I think that the "no registration helper" comment in the error message you posted means that Regsvr32.exe (which is the program used to register files) is not working properly.

Does anyone know how to recover it without having to re-install Windows?

thank you for the explanation!