What is Rundll32.exe?

Printer Friendly Version |

Rating:

Total Votes: 30

Like These Tips? Get Them Free In Your E-mail Everyday!

Rate This Tip! :

Throughout the course of Windows history, one process has always stood out to me the most. It runs silently in your task manager, calmly taking up memory with little explanation as to what it does. Of course, I'm speaking of rundll32.exe. In fact, you may have seen it crop up a time or two when a program crashes, but other than that, it's just something that is “there”.

So what is it, exactly?

Well, Rundll32 is actually a medium for which other DLL files go through. Think of it like a baseball pitching machine, and the DLL files are the baseballs. Since there is no way to directly launch a DLL file by itself, Windows needs an application to do this. That's where rundll32.exe comes in. It launches functionality stored within 32 bit DLL files, thus the name, “run dll 32”.

Be warned, however, as malicious programs like spyware can run under the same name! Keep your virus scanning software up to date, and run weekly spyware checks! That way, you'll ensure that the process you've just learned about is the one with good intentions!

~Andrew

Want to comment on this tip? Click here! We'd love to hear from you!

Do you know something helpful to add to this tip? Click Here and let us know. We'll share it with the world!

Your name:
Email:	Your email address will not be published.
Subject:
Your suggestion:	Please Note - Use this form ONLY if you have additional information you think should be added to this tip (For example, you have a better / faster way of doing it, an additional warning, etc). All submissions are moderated by WorldStart personnel and subject to our approval and / or revisions. If approved, your information will be added below for anyone visiting this page to see. If you have a comment or question, please do not use this form! Instead, use the "Tip Feedback" link above.

Like these tips? Get them for FREE in your email!

Computer Tips with MS Office Tips Newsletter

Computer Tips Daily - Run your Windows PC like a pro! No matter what your skill level, beginner or advanced, you'll find tons of valuable tips, tricks, and ideas in every issue (plus great software deals). Become the computer guru you've always wanted to be! The tip you've just read was in this newsletter!
Computer Tips Weekly - If you don't want our Computer Tips newsletter every day, then sign up for this weekly newsletter to get the best information of the week. Sent on Fridays.

Other Newsletters

Software Deals - Every week, we send out great deals in our Software Deals newsletter. Many of these deals are exclusively for our Software Deals newsletter subscribers and can't be found with our regular specials.
Just For Grins - Each issue includes a couple clean jokes, some funny quotes, and a hilarious reader's story. Newsletter is sent five days a week.

Enter Email Address:

Your e-mail address is safe with us!
We only use it to send you the newsletters you request. It is NEVER disclosed to a third party for any reason, ever! Plus, if you decided you don't like our newsletters (don't worry, you'll love them), unsubscribing is fast and easy.

Computer Tips with MS Office Tips Newsletter

See what others say!

Instant Immersion 33 Languages Deluxe v2.0 - $6.97