How To Disable Shell32.dll

dear everyone,

I am wondering how can i replace the file shell32.dll with the tweaked version from Iceman's System files. It keeps on saying that the file is being used by another program even though i run windows in safe mode. I tried to disable every programs that depend on it even winlogon.exe. But once i disable this particular program, windows reboots, making me unable to replace it.

any suggestions or advices are greatly appreciated.

sincerely,

\dev\null

#6855

start your computer with bootable win98 disk and than copy

shell32.dll to windows\system32, it will work

#6856

I usually proceed like this:

1) assuming c: is your windows partition, go to c:\windows\system32\dllcache (it's a compressed folder, you'll usually see it in blue letters), find the file shell32.dll and rename it in shell321.dll;

2) go to c:\windows\system32 and rename the file shell32.dll in shell322.dll: an alert message will popup, ignore it;

3) copy the modified shell32.dll in the system32 folder (another alert message);

4) reboot.

You'll probably want to rebuild your icon cache after rebooting; and, oh yes, you can now delete the old shell32.dll... :lol:

#6867

http://www.jonmega.com/~iceman

Iceman has a tutorial on his site on how to do it. It shows I think three different ways of doing it.

#6872

Thank you for the generous inputs. However, i have followed the tutorials on Iceman's website. I used the first method. It worked just fine even though it took me 4 hours to copy, rename and paste all the files. after a windows update, some of the icons on my start menu and internet explorer are reverted to windows' default. i did the unthinkable of redoing the length process of copying, renaming and pasting all the files again. i found out that the system32.dll is the only file that is different from the tweaked version of iceman's system32.dll. but now i cannot rename it to something like system32.old even though i go to safe mode. it is still being used by program like task manager and winlogon.exe. terminating task manager disable me from renamiing the file and terminating the latter one make the computer reboots.

anyway, i think the possible method is the method proposed by exograpix. i am not a DOS person. Hence, if you can show me the commands to perform the action you proposed, it will be greatly appreciated.

thank you once again for those of you who have read my problem and share some advices.

sincerely,

\dev\null

#6897

Have you tried to go into task Manager and click on the processes tab and stopping the process then renaming it?

#7186

if u updated your system with the sp1, then u will need to rename the files there too (Service Pack Files Folder)... otherwise, it will keep rebuilding ur shell32 to the default one.

Follow these instructions...

Replacing System Files WITHOUT Rebooting!

I have got a lot of request on how I replaced my shell32.dll, mydocs.dll, and explorer.exe WITHOUT rebooting, here it how I did it: This Works on XP SP1 and I am sure with XP Final to.

1. Delete the files you want to replace from C:\windows\system32\dllcache

2. Delete the files you want to replace from C:\windows\servicepackfiles

3. Goto C:\windows\system32 and rename shell32.dll shell32.bak (any name works) copy the new file to that folder FAST, before the system calls any code from it. IF you get a SFP warning, Press Cancel

4. Still in C:\windows\system32 rename mydocs.dll mydocs.bak, and copy the now moded file there. IF you get a SFP warning, Press Cancel

5. Go up a folder, so you are in C:\Windows, name your new explorer.exe explorer2.exe and place it in here, now open the Command Prompt (START > RUN > CMD) then open the task maneger, and close explorer.exe, you MUST close IE and any other programs now. You desktop Icons and Start Menu should be gone, now in the command windows type:

CD \..

CD windows

rename explorer.exe explorer.bak

rename explorer2.exe explorer.exe

Now IF you get a SFP warning, Press Cancel, in the task maneger (press crtl+alt+del if you closed it) press FILE > New Task (RUN) and type explorer, this will reload the desktop, now open tweakUI and goto repaire, and repaire the icons.

You should now have updated the icons without rebooting

This has worked for me on 3 computers, and it worked fine, I was installing the KDE crystal icons, I hope it works for you

Enjoy

#7211

Would it be possible to have a batch file that would automate all this (in safe mode or using Win98 startup disk)?

Save hours of work. Perhaps one of the gurus out there could do it - one that would copy backup files to a specific directory and then the automated procedure of copy the required files to their respective places.

O... and a feature (if at all possible in a batch file!) that would let you choose whether you want to replace a certain file or not?

What do the readers think?

#9585

It's not the easiest thing to do. Most users may have Windows installed in C:\Windows, but not all. Not all users want to change the same files.

Of course a batch file could be made, but use it carefully.

Have a nice day!

Ken

#12013

Would someone please (x100 ) email me a batch file that would do it. My default is C:\Windows as I have struggled to get the replacements working.