Missing dll

Hi,

Win OS running : 7 x64

From https://www.dlldownloader.com/gdiplus-dll/ indicates that :

 

NOTE!

On Windows operating systems with 64 Bit architecture, the dll file must be in both the "sysWOW64" folder as well as the "System32" folder. In other words, you must copy the "Gdiplus.dll" file into both folders.

So my question is :

If I couldn't file dll like : gdiplus.dll under System32 :

1-Should this DLL be copied to System32 ?(It already exist under folder SysWOW64)

2- Why some DLL is missing from SysWOW64 or System32 in X64 ? would it be harmful or due to any kinds of infection ?

From https://www.processlibrary.com/:

 

Is gdiplus.dll harmful?

This process is considered safe. It is unlikely to pose any harm to your system. The gdiplus.dll file should be located in the folderC:\Windows\System32.

Otherwise it could be a Trojan.

thanks

Are you having some issue with your system?

Are you having some issue with your system?

Hi and I appreciate your quick response.

I do not have any problem.

My purpose was to understand why some of them were missed and seek any possibility of misusing them!

If your system is running as expected, don't worry about it. Best not to look for problems that don't exist.

If your system is running as expected, don't worry about it. Best not to look for problems that don't exist.

Thank you .

I don't make a rod for my back.

Just out of curiosity, some of my references such as file.net or processlibrary express that if this DLL is located in a different location, it could be considered malware. Do you agree with that?

I would be suspicious of it, yes, however, I wouldn't use websites like file.net as reliable sources of information since most of them are just content mills for Google ad sense.

If you are worried about that specific DLL being malware, then upload it to virustotal.com
 
You can put gdiplus.dll into the everything search to obtain all file paths for the .dll on your system

Before you do anything, make an image backup of your entire system and keep it off-system. I have seen many over the years that "try something" and trash their entire system irrecoverably.

 

If your system is running as expected, don't worry about it. Best not to look for problems that don't exist.

Thank you .

I don't make a rod for my back.

Just out of curiosity, some of my references such as file.net or processlibrary express that if this DLL is located in a different location, it could be considered malware. Do you agree with that?

 

Sure, files in in unexpected locations MAY be malicious - but that should not be the primary determining factor. For example, I just checked and I have at least 20 entries for gdiplus.dll all over the place - mostly in servicing roll-up packages. Again, you can run a scan on any questionable file or folder with your installed AV and / or with MBAM. But in this case, I'd leave the zebras alone and move on

Edited by Allan, 20 December 2023 - 11:03 AM.