If you’re facing the error of * missing on your Windows 7 computer, don’t worry! It’s a common issue, and there are a few ways to fix it. This file is a part of the system, and when it goes missing or becomes corrupted, it can cause a lot of problems, including making your computer run slow or causing programs to crash. In this article, I’ll walk you through some simple methods to get that file back on your computer.
First things first, let’s talk about where the file should be. Normally, it’s located in the Windows system folder, which is where it needs to be for your system to run properly. Sometimes, it can get lost or deleted by mistake, and that’s when you start seeing the error message. The easiest way to fix this is to reinstall the file into the right folder.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the official website to download the file. Be careful, make sure it’s from a reliable source, because downloading from the wrong site can cause more harm than good.
- Once downloaded, copy the file.
- Paste it into your Windows system folder, usually found at C:WindowsSystem32.
- If you’re using a 64-bit version of Windows, you might also need to paste it into the C:WindowsSysWOW64 folder.
Another simple trick is to run the System File Checker tool. This tool can scan your system for missing or corrupted files, including DLLs, and try to fix them automatically. Here’s how you do it:
- Click on the Start menu and type “cmd” in the search bar.
- Right-click on the Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator.”
- In the Command Prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and hit Enter. Let the tool do its work, and it should find and fix any issues with missing or corrupt system files.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, you might want to try the following method:
- Click the Start button and search for “Device Manager.”
- In Device Manager, look for any devices that have a yellow warning icon next to them, as this can indicate a driver issue.
- Right-click on any device with a warning and choose “Uninstall.” Then restart your computer, and Windows should automatically reinstall the correct drivers, including the missing DLL.
For some users, especially those who play PC games, you might need to place the file directly in the game’s installation folder. Some programs and games need the DLL file to be in the same folder as the program itself to run properly.
Additional Fix: Using DeviceCleanupCmd
If the above methods don’t work, you can use a tool called DeviceCleanupCmd. This tool can help remove unnecessary or orphaned devices that are no longer connected to your computer, which might help fix the issue. It’s a little more advanced, so if you don’t feel comfortable using it, stick to the simpler methods listed above.
In some cases, after performing a Windows update, the file may go missing or become corrupted. If that’s the case, try running the following command from the Command Prompt to fix it:
* *,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN
It’s also possible that your computer’s security settings are blocking the DLL file from being accessed properly. If that happens, try right-clicking on the file, selecting “Properties,” and under the “Security” tab, make sure to uncheck any “Block” box if you see one. This can help resolve some issues related to the file being blocked by your system.
Conclusion:
Don’t stress too much about the * missing error. Most of the time, it’s an easy fix, and one of these methods will likely solve the problem. If you follow the steps I’ve listed above, you should be able to get your system back up and running in no time. Just remember to always download DLL files from trusted sources to avoid getting unwanted software or malware on your computer!
Tags：[*, Windows 7 fix, DLL missing, system error, Device Cleanup, System File Checker, Windows error fix]
