How to Delete DLL Files in Windows 11

DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file is a dynamic link library file, also known as "application extension", which is a software file type. In Windows, many applications are not complete executable files. They are divided into some relatively independent dynamic link libraries, namely DLL files, which are placed in the system. When we execute a program, the corresponding DLL file will be called. An application can use multiple DLL files, and a DLL file may also be used by different applications. Such DLL files are called shared DLL files. Click here to learn more about What is a DLL. After closing the programs, some DDL files will not be automatically cleaned up, which will take up a lot of hard disk space for a long time. Or, sometimes, we remove the installed software. However, the DLL file of the corresponding software may not be deleted. Today, let's learn how to clean up useless DLL files.

Is it safe to delete a DLL file

The DLL file is a dynamic link library. Those DLL files in Window32 under Windows and under the program's installation files cannot be deleted. However, some viruses will automatically generate a list of DLL files. You can remove them through anti-virus software. Some optimization software can also help you delete useless DLL files. If you are sure that certain software is no longer used, its corresponding DLL files can also be removed. When you get a DLL error, try our 5 recommended ways to fix the DLL error before deleting the DLL file.

How to delete DLL files

Before starting to delete or modify the registry, it is recommended to back up the registry to avoid the loss of important data due to operational errors. Here, I recommend that you use Wise Registry Cleaner for backup.

Step 1: Press Win+R to open the Run window.

Step 2: Input regedit and press Enter to enter the Registry Editor.

Step 3: Navigate to the following registry key:

HKKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer

Step 4: Find out the key named AlwaysUnloadDLL.

If not, please right-click on the blank location and select the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value in the pop-up menu, and name it AlwaysUnloadDLL.

Step 5: Modify AlwaysUnloadDLL.

Double-click AlwaysUnloadDLL, then modify the value data to 1 in the open editing window.

Finally, close the registry editor, and restart your computer. The redundant DLL files will be automatically cleaned up. We rarely know the DLL file in our daily work and life; therefore, we do not have the consciousness to delete them. But its existence sometimes occupies a lot of memory and slows down the speed of your computer. I hope this article can help you clean up useless DLL files and make your computer smoother.