hmm, how does windows 'know' what dlls are installed?

[abc]

or do each respective app know what dlls it's supposed to have, only....

 

[Joemonkey]

i bet if you asked in the OS forum you'd get a better answer...

 

[PricklyPete]

registry

 

Registered in the registry.

 

[ProviaFan]

I am under the impression that some kinds of DLLs are registered in the registry, while in some cases the application just searches for the DLL when it needs it, by default in the application folder, %WINDIR%\system32, and several other locations.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
registry

 

[dighn]

depends on the DLL. "plain" DLLs, the apps search for in certain directories like provianfan said. while COM based DLLs are referenced in the registry