What is shell32.dll?

Shell32.dll is a Windows Shell Common Dll.

This file is part of Microsoft® Windows® Operating System. Shell32.dll is developed by Microsoft Corporation. It’s a system and hidden file. Shell32.dll is usually located in the %SYSTEM% sub-folder and its usual size is 8,925,184 bytes.

Shell32.dll is a process belonging to the Microsoft Windows Shell. It is a library that contains Windows Shell API functions. The shell system is important for handling many windows tasks, and is required for your system to be stable.

Shell32.dll is not known to be malware, but we recommend scanning your computer with Auslogics Antivirus to make sure it's not infected.

How to Fix the Shell32.dll Access is Denied Error

Some users might get an "Error Loading: C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll. Access is Denied" message when they try to run some tasks and launch Control Panel applets.

Usually this error is related to Comodo Firewall and/or Antivirus and is easy to fix. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the Comodo Firewall tray icon
2. Go to Defence + Security Level and select Disabled

Now the setting that was causing the shell32.dll error is disabled and you should stop getting the error dialog box. Note that your computer won't have the top level of protection any more. You might want to change your antivirus/security suite. We recommend trying the award-winning Auslogics Antivirus.