Can An Antivirus Delete DLL Files? [Fake DLL]
Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) are crucial for the smooth running of Windows. These small files are shared by multiple programs that use common features. Therefore, when a DLL goes missing, it can prevent lots of programs from working correctly. If the most vital DLLs are deleted, it can even cause the blue screen of death.
Malware, human error, and badly coded software can all cause a DLL to be deleted. In fact, sometimes even an antivirus can delete a DLL file.
Let’s take a closer look at why your antivirus might work against you and how you can find missing DLLs.
What are false positives?
An overbearing antivirus program can potentially delete DLL files, especially if the file is mistakenly flagged as malicious. While it is not common, false positives do happen from time to time.
This is most likely to occur when installing or updating a piece of software that tries to overwrite an existing DLL file. Your antivirus might view this as an attempt to try to tamper with Windows and block the process, causing the file to be removed or corrupted.
Usually, when an antivirus flags a potentially dangerous file it will hold it in quarantine. You can choose to restore the file or delete it.
The Fix: Turn off your antivirus temporarily and try reinstalling the software to restore the DLL. Or use a DLL fixing tool.
Warning: A DLL file could be infected with malicious code, so don’t restore it unless you are sure it’s a false positive.
Beware of malware and trojans
Not all software you find on the internet is legitimate. If your antivirus removes a DLL right after installing a new program, it’s possible the program is malware and contains a trojan that has infected or overwritten a DLL.
Always read reviews and download your software from reputable websites. Remember not to agree to any additional tools or junk that might be bundled with the software.
It’s also possible that malware from another source has infected a DLL or the Windows registry. The registry is where Windows organizes and logs its software and user settings. Malware can damage this, rendering the system unable to find a DLL, even if it exists.
The Fix: Clean your system of malware and then use a Windows repair tool to repair Windows and replace missing DLLs.
Fake DLLs
Because missing DLLs are so common, many websites make the files available online for download. However, not all download sites are legitimate, and some DLLs may be fake or infected with viruses.
In this situation, your antivirus program may delete the DLL file to protect your computer from being infected.
The Fix: Only download DLLs from a reputable site or use a tool like Fortect to automatically replace missing DLLs.
How do I use a DLL fixer to recover deleted DLL files?
Whatever the reason for a DLL file going missing, restoring it with a clean copy is easy with a tool like Fortect. Here’s what to do:
- Download and Install Fortect on your PC.
- Open the program and run a scan, which takes just a few minutes (it also works in Safe Mode).
- Click Start Repair to repair all Windows problems or click through to view DLL errors.
- Wait for the process to complete and restart your PC if prompted.
Fortect is a full Windows repair tool that will remove junk files, replace missing or damaged system files, and repair the registry. During the repair process, it automatically pulls DLLs and other files from its repository of working components.
This means you never have to worry about finding a clean version online and installing it manually.
There are many reasons why an antivirus might delete a DLL file. While it could be a false positive, it’s often because malware has infected or replaced the file, or you sourced a fake DLL from the web.
Whatever the reason, using a tool like Fortect will ensure a genuine copy of the DLL is registered on your system.
