ERROR! shell32.dll - Access Denied. Please help a newbie!

G

glasses

New Member
Hi all, first post here. I've got a problem with shell32.dll. When I right click a video file and choose "Open With" then "Choose Default Program" up pops this error message:

Error loading C:\Windows\system32\shell32.dll
Access is denied

So, the file exists, obviously, but anyone know why this appears or how to remedy it please?

PS - Just about to post two other problems I'm getting with Vista...can't say I'm its biggest fan!:mad:

Thanks.
 

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I have the same problem. Some of the chat rooms seem to be saying that Comodo firewall causes these problems. I have it installed, and have tried disabling it, but maybe the damage has been done already. I'd be interested to know whether you're runnong Comodo. Rgds
 

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hi,

Same problem this side as well...and only since I installed Comodo....

:(
 

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Shell32.dll is a file of windows icons. You can browse for it under the properties
tab on the default program for opening the software, it resides in Windows\System32.
Use the "open with" command on right click, select the program which you know will
open the software you want to use and opt to change the icon which you can select
from Windows\System32 (shell32.dll).
I hope that this gives you some direction.
 

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Unless, of course, you are running Vista x64 - then there are 2 actual files, and 2 more hard links to them in System32 and SysWOW64....

For those of you all having issues with Comodo FW and shell32, disabling it will not help - you'll need to uninstall it and see if that restores your shell32.
 

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Thanks so much for your very helpful suggestion! After reading various postings, it was obvious that Comodo FP seemed to be common to everyone who was experiencing the shell32.dll problem. I disabled Comodo, and when that didn't help, I tried various other things which led to more grief. The next step was going to be an OS reinstall, which I didn't want to do. Your suggestion seems obvious now, but it wasn't at the time.

Uninstalling that rotten Comodo FP fixed it immediately. It also got rid of a number of other messages I was getting on startup regarding denial of access to other .dll files.

Thanks again.
 

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Thanx this side too...uninstalling COMODO worked...and yes, seems other issues have also been re-solved. I have reinatlled and all is well thus far - touch wood -
 

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Are you making sure to run Comodo's Defense+Security and Firewall in Training Mode for a while to let it learn your habits?
 

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That was probably my mistake...but am running default (safe mode) for now. Will post any issues experienced - if any.
 

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Running Safe Mode is probably what caused this mess to begin with? If you've just installed Comodo, you really should let it run in Training Mode for a while; it's got to learn you and the system. Running in Safe Mode right off the bat it's just going to block everything left and right.

If you're worried that Training Mode is "less safe" ... don't.
 

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Thanx for vice Fumz...have made the change....will keep you posted
 

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I ran it in training mode for a while - maybe not long enough, but I got impatient with all the pop-ups. I don't think I ever ran it in Safe Mode for very long. After a few minutes, it reminds you anyway to switch back, and I always do as I'm told - maybe. If an application is going to be that critical in its operation, then I wonder whether it's worth it.

LucienJ is braver than me; I'm not game to touch Comodo again. Now that there's a 64-bit version available, I've gone back to Windows Live OneCare. At least that way I know what company to blame when things go wrong.
 

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Been running in training mode for a while now...no pop-ups (as i did get in safe mode)....not even for installation of mouse and webcam...weird....
 

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LucienJ,

Training basically just lets the firewall know what's normal activity; it's learning behavior right now, which is why there are no pop-up. It's not weird, it's by design. After you've run through all the programs you use, you can then switch to clean pc and safe mode for defense+ and firewall respectively and you won't see pop-ups again.

However, you should know that if you install a new program, you should set it back to Training Mode or you will again see a barrage of pop-ups.

@ Spydah, if you were seeing pop-ups, it's because both the Firewall and Defense + Security were not in Training Mode.
 

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    eVGA 8800 GTS
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    X-Fi XtremeGamer
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Fumz,

True...but I did the installations in Safe Mode & Clean PC Mode...have been running this for a while and when i opened a new app, i got a pop-up, which I expected...but so far, i must I am happy chappy again...thanx a mill Fumz...
Gotta go back to my other post now...VPN issues with x64 (hence me running x86) (anyconnect does not like my concentrator at the office...again, tx a mill
 

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My mistake. I got the Training Mode and Safe Mode confused. Safe Mode was where I got all the pop-ups. Training Mode is where one does the installations, and where you get a reminder to switch back after a few minutes. I guess therefore that the change in shell32.dll occurred some time during a software installation, when I was in Training Mode.

spydah said:
I ran it in training mode for a while - maybe not long enough, but I got impatient with all the pop-ups. I don't think I ever ran it in Safe Mode for very long. After a few minutes, it reminds you anyway to switch back, and I always do as I'm told - maybe. If an application is going to be that critical in its operation, then I wonder whether it's worth it.

LucienJ is braver than me; I'm not game to touch Comodo again. Now that there's a 64-bit version available, I've gone back to Windows Live OneCare. At least that way I know what company to blame when things go wrong.
Click to expand...
 

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I would run it in Training Mode for a few days, not minutes. Allow Comodo to see everything you do with the machine, not just what you did in the last few minutes. You should especially run through all your online games in Training Mode. Only until you've done everything you normally do should you switch to Clean PC or Safe Mode.

Run through games, update your anti virus, ftp, grab a torrent, use your Ventrilo/Teamspeak etc etc etc... just make sure all normal activity is recorded.
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
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    E8400
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    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
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    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
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    eVGA 8800 GTS
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    500GB W.D. RE2 Primary 1TB W.D. Caviar GP WD10EACS
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
    Case
    Lian Li Lancool K62
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    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
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    Logitech G5
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    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
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    2.5MB/430
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    D-Link DGL 4500
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