How to Resolve 'Windows Cannot Find' Errors
Problem Caused by Missing File
1. Visit ProcessLibrary.com and enter the name of the missing file into the 'Find' field.
2. Click on the file name in the results to bring up information on the file. Note what program uses the missing file. If the file has the DLL extension, proceed to Step 4 of this section.
3. Reinstall the program associated with the file and the missing file should be restored.
4. Visit the DLL-Files website if the problem file has the DLL extension. Enter the file name into the search field.
5. Download the DLL file and unzip it into the system folder located in the Windows directory of the hard drive. Restart the computer and check for any error message. If an error occurs, continue to Step 6.
6. Open the Start menu, click 'Run' and type 'regsvr32' followed by a space then the name of the DLL file. Press 'Enter' to force Windows to register the DLL file. Use the command 'regsvr64' if running a 64-bit version of Windows.
Problem Caused by Malware
7. Visit Malwarebytes.org and download the latest version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Rename the setup file before continuing. Some malware interferes with the installation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
8. Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, then rename the executable. Malware that affect installation can prevent the installed program from running if it recognizes Malwarebytes Anti-Malware by its file name.
9. Run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Select the 'Perform Full Scan' setting and then click 'Scan.' Select the drive where Windows is installed, then click 'Start Scan.'
10. Remove any detected malware by clicking 'Remove Selected.' Proceed to Section 3 if Malwarebytes Anti-Malware found no harmful files. If malware was removed, restart the computer and check for the original error message.
Problem Caused by Registry Error
11. Visit the CCleaner homepage, click 'Download' and then click 'Alternative Download' to download the CCleaner software.
12. Install CCleaner, then run the application.
13. Click 'Registry' in the side panel, then click 'Scan for Issues.'
14. Click 'Fix selected issues. . .' to run the registry cleaner. Back up the registry as directed before continuing.
15. Check the results of the registry scan, then click 'Fix All Selected Issues.' Exit CCleaner, then restart the computer.
Problem Caused by Locked File
16. Visit the LockHunter website, click 'Download' and then download the version of LockHunter appropriate to your computer's operating system.
17. Run LockHunter. Type the hard drive letter followed by a colon (for example, 'C:') and then press 'Enter.' LockHunter will search for all locked files on the hard drive.
18. Select the file from the list, then click the 'Plus' sign next to the file to see what processes have it locked.
19. Click the 'Unlock It!' button to release the file. If the file cannot be unlocked, then an error had not occurred and the file can be closed as normal. Restart the computer.