How do I cleanup duplicate dll files?

Question

I have a user who is having problems with an application and while looking through the system32 folder I noticed about 50% of the dll's are duplicated in this format (clusapi.dll and clusapi(3).dll)
What is the cause of this and how can it be fixed?

Answer 1

This is usually cause by a previous sytem restoration.

Here's what you can do...

1. Click Start --> Search
2. A Window pops up name "Search Results".
3. Choose All files and folders.
4. Enter *(*).* as the file name you are searching for. This tells the system to find anything/everything that has a () associated with it.
5. Now on the "Look in:" drop down list, choose System32 folder.
6. Click Search
7. Windows will find all files with this *(*).* distinction
Example: something(1).dll, something(2).dll and so on.
8. Once Search is finished, review files and delete the ones you think needs to be deleted. Don't worry, if the file is being used, the sytem will prevent you from deleting it.

You can also use *(2).* or *(3).dll if you want to be specific...

Good luck!

Answer 2

The cause is usually a program running "new" over and over and recreating the files it "needs." Once you identify the program, just uninstall it and "re-install" it and it should fix the problem for good.

To great rid of the duplicates, simply place the duplicate files in a "unused folder" or created an unused folder to place them in. After they are in the unused folder, RESTART the computer. IF IT DOESN'T ASK FOR ANY OF THESE FILES, it should be safe to delete them. Otherwise, if it does ask for one or two, you may need to replace them back where they were and then restart and see if you can delete the "remaining" ones in the extra folder.

Good luck.

Never get rid of "extra files" until you know for sure whether you will need to replace them or not.

Answer 3

While I would advise not manually removing dlls (you need to unregister the reg entries for them), you may wanna give cclean a shot. It will clean out orphaned shared dll files.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Answer 4

I'm sorry its not a real answer but I've always hated those dll files

Answer 5

Don't go deleting any dll files. You can seriously mess up your computer.

Answer 6

Leave 'em alone - they don't take up much space and that's not going to be what's causing your application errors anyway. Clean up your registry.

Answer 7

I used DuplicateFilesDeleter.It is a simple & effective tool.Love it!