Shared Files: A Digital Dilemma

Q.  When I tried to uninstall a program, I received a message that asked if I wanted to remove a shared .DLL file.  I wasn’t sure what to do. Should I have answered “Yes” or “No”?

A.  When you remove programs using the Control Panel’s Add/Remove Programs feature, you may occasionally encounter a message that asks if you would like to remove a shared file. Unfortunately, the message never explains the consequences of that action, so it can be a bit of an anxiety-producing proposition.

Shared files display the file extension .DLL, which stands for Dynamic Linked Library. As the word “shared” implies, the file in question is being used by more than one program. For example, your word processor and your spreadsheet program may share a .DLL file, so removing it may cause one or more programs to malfunction.

You also may encounter a message advising that a certain .DLL file could not be found, but it is needed in order to launch a program you’re trying to use. Why is it missing? In most cases it was probably removed when another program was uninstalled. Oh, the humanity!

The moral to this sordid story is this: If you aren’t familiar with a filename, and you’re asked if you want to delete it, just say “No.” It won’t cause any harm if it’s not needed, but it can be a real headache if it is needed and it’s nowhere to be found.

Q.  I just got high-speed cable access to the Internet, but the dial-up connection window keeps popping up. Any suggestions, Mr. M?

A.  You can stop the dial-up connection box from making unscheduled appearances by going to your Control Panel and double-clicking the Internet Options icon, followed by the Connection tab. (Hint: You may have to click Network and Internet Connections before you get to Internet Options.)

You can then either select “Never dial a connection,” or you can click your old dial-up connection, then the Remove button. Since you’re not likely to be using the dial-up connection again, I’d suggest clicking the Remove button, but the choice is yours. Click OK when you’re done. That will resolve the case of the persistent pop-up. 

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