Change the Library Search Order (Windows 2000/XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Change the Library Search Order (Windows 2000/XP)
Category: Home > Windows > System

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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This setting controls the order in which directories are searched for DLL (Dynamic Link Library) files. This may be useful to ensure that a local DLL is used when a program is being run over a network or to resolve issues where incompatible system DLL files are being loaded first.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value called 'SafeDllSearchMode' using the settings below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Note: Service pack 3 (SP3) or greater should be installed when using with Windows 2000.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
SafeDllSearchMode	REG_DWORD	0x00000001 (1)


	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager

Settings:

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager]
Name: SafeDllSearchMode
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: (1 = search System and Windows directories first, 0 = search current directory first)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: December 31, 2002

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