how do you know which dll files on your computer are safe, necessary or dangerous?

Answer 1

Why fret about things you don't understand ? Recognize that computers, like cars (for ex), have many "systems" that make them go. The best you can do is give them the service they deserve to protect you against failures.

Get good firewall, good anti-vir, and good anti-spyware, and keep the faith.

Answer 2

I asked my self the same question years ago.

I looked it up and found they were - in short 'libraries'

I thought "what do i need a library for" so I deleted them LOL...

Of course, I went in with the idea (correctly) that my computer would be messed up.

Computers need DLL's to run.

If you are so familiar with the dll's that you can recognize whether something is out of place, or doesn't belong, google the file name.

You can google the filename of virtually every operating system file and find - with a bit of digging - what it's function is.

My advice however is this: If you aren't prepared to lose everything on the system - leave the dll's alone.

That, or have your Rescue disk handy.

Answer 3

Even knowing which FILES are safe is not enough. Some viruses modify the DLLs that are part of the OS. That's why they make virus scanner software.