Quick overview:
The DLL files become deeply embedded in the system and slow it down as their number increases. There are many programs that delete unused DLLs - but unfortunately these are often just as dangerous as deleting them manually. The most important DLLs can be found at a certain point in the registry. If any are not needed, you will see this and can delete them. Veni, vidi, vici!
(read below for a solution using the custom-built DLL killer created by a reader)
1. Click one after the other on Start > Execute and type it into the command line that pops up regedit followed by pressing the Enter key. The editor for editing the Windows registry starts within the next millisecond.
2. Now navigate through the folders with double-clicks, as described in more detail in the Windows Tweaks Lexicon article HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs. In the right-hand pane you will see the following (and much more).
3. As shown in the picture, only the values at the back are important. If there is a (0) anywhere in the list, this means that the DLL is not needed. Example:
If this is the case, note the file name (here: MSJET40.dll) and the directory. Click on it with the right mouse button and delete this value.
4. Click on Start > Search > By files and folders and enter this file name. As soon as it has been found, you can delete it without hesitation. If it is not found, it may be hidden. To display it anyway, you must continue with step 5. Otherwise, I recommend that you delete all entries and the associated files with a (0) after them for a clean system.
5. In the conventional Windows Explorer, select Extras > Folder options and switch to the register View. Remove the tick in front of Hide protected files and mark them below Undisplay all files.
Another option: The DLL-Killer from Viktor Engelmann saves you this trouble and automatically searches for the DLL entries in the registry and on the PC and deletes them. The program also has a backup function with which you can undo the changes (in case of problems)!
NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
