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

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.
 

My Computer

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
 

My Computer

hi,

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

:(
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T 8300 @ 2.40GHz
    Keyboard
    Onboard
    Mouse
    Microsft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    * BFK Customs *
    CPU
    Intel C2Q 9550 Yorkfield
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5Q Pro
    Memory
    8GB Dominator 8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    XFX ATI 1GB 4870 XXX
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD 7-1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1x 47" LCD HDMI & 2x 26" LCD HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P & 1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    2x 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache WD Caviar Black
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX
    Case
    CM Cosmos RC-1000
    Cooling
    Tuniq Tower 120, 2x 140mm and 3x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    HP Enhansed Multimedia
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback 3G
    Internet Speed
    18.6Mb/s
    Other Info
    My First Build ;)
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.
 

My Computer

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.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro X64 Insider Preview (Skip Ahead) latest build
    Manufacturer/Model
    The Beast Model V (homebrew)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 965 EE @ 3.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
    Memory
    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0 (04G-P4-3979-KB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 * Lenovo LT2323pwA Widescreeen
    Screen Resolution
    2 * 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SanDisk Ultra SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960 GB SATA III SSD (System)
    Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SATA III SSD (User Tree)
    2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA II Mech. HD
    Seagate ST1500DL001-9VT15L Barracuda 7200.12 1.5 TB S
    PSU
    Thermaltake Black Widow TX TR2 850W 80+ Bronze Semi-Mod ATX
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (Black)
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 (CPU, dual 140 mm fans on radiator) + Air (2 *
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 (gen 2)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared)
    Internet Speed
    AT&T Lightspeed Gigabit duplex
  • Operating System
    Sabayon Linux (current, weekly updates, 5.1.x kernel)
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad E545
    CPU
    AMD A6-5350M APU
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon HD (Embedded)
    Sound Card
    Conextant 20671 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 15" Matte
    Screen Resolution
    1680 * 1050
    Hard Drives
    INTEL Cherryvill 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SSD
    PSU
    Lenovo
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared) | Synaptics TouchPad
    Keyboard
    Lenovo
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex
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.
 

My Computer

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 -
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T 8300 @ 2.40GHz
    Keyboard
    Onboard
    Mouse
    Microsft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000
Are you making sure to run Comodo's Defense+Security and Firewall in Training Mode for a while to let it learn your habits?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    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
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500
That was probably my mistake...but am running default (safe mode) for now. Will post any issues experienced - if any.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T 8300 @ 2.40GHz
    Keyboard
    Onboard
    Mouse
    Microsft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    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
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500
Thanx for vice Fumz...have made the change....will keep you posted
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T 8300 @ 2.40GHz
    Keyboard
    Onboard
    Mouse
    Microsft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000
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.
 

My Computer

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....
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T 8300 @ 2.40GHz
    Keyboard
    Onboard
    Mouse
    Microsft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000
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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    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
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500
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
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T 8300 @ 2.40GHz
    Keyboard
    Onboard
    Mouse
    Microsft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000
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.

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.
 

My Computer

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.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Fumz' Flux-Capacitor
    CPU
    E8400
    Motherboard
    DFI LP DK P35-T2RS
    Memory
    4GB G.Skill PC-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    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
    Cooling
    Thermalright Ultima-90/S-Flex 120mm
    Keyboard
    MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    2.5MB/430
    Other Info
    D-Link DGL 4500
Back
Top