Posts Tagged ‘msvcr71’
msvcr71.dll is a module containing functions used by the Microsoft C Runtime Library. It is not considered malware or a security risk, and while not critical for system performance, is not recommended for removal. However, it is also possible that malware or spyware is posing as msvcr71, so while it is typically considered benign, it is safest to confirm this by running malware scanning software regularly. Read on for further details.
C is a programming language in which many applications and system utilities are written. To speed up application development and avoid duplication of effort, companies ship modules, or runtime libraries, that provide common functionality so developers aren’t re-inventing the wheel whenever they write something new. msvcr71.dll is one such component shipped by Microsoft.
There are several common classes of errors that may be caused by, or appear due to, msvcrt71.dll. One common type are errors which cause an application not to start because the DLL could not be found, for which there are several possible fixes. First, try to uninstall and re-install the application. An error during installation may have caused the library not to be unpacked where the program expects to find it. A re-install of the application might also help in cases where the file has been damaged since installation, replaced by malware or overwritten by another installed application with an incompatible older version. When uninstalling or re-installing an application, never remove shared DLLs or components unless you are absolutely certain that another application is not using them.
If a re-install of the application doesn’t resolve the issue, ensure that you’ve applied all the latest updates and fixes via Windows Update. Sometimes these updates include newer versions of runtime libraries, and in addition to keeping your computer more secure, an update just might overwrite an outdated version of the library that may be causing the problem.
Other sources of msvcr71.dll errors may be due to registry damage. The registry is a central database of configuration settings which many applications edit and read, and just as your house needs regular cleaning to remain decluttered and healthy, so your registry needs regular maintenance as applications often leave artifacts behind. Registry scanning software is available for this purpose. You can find a good list of ten popular scanners at http://www.online-tech-tips.com/free-software-downloads/best-free-windows-registry-cleaners/. Just as regular decluttering is important to keep physical spaces safe and healthy, regular registry scans can prevent issues with msvcr71 from requiring a complete system re-install.
Sometimes the best place to hide something is in plain sight. As such, it is possible that malware may be posing as msvcr71. To rule out this possibility, scan your system with a reliable anti-virus tool such as AVG (http://www.avg.com) or Avast (http://avast.com), both of which are updated often. Just as is true for scanning your registry, regular virus scans can detect and prevent these problems before they seriously threaten your system. It is also good practice to keep your malware scanner of choice up-to-date with information on the newest virii.
Should none of these solutions work, as a last resort you can download the DLL from sites like http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?msvcr71, placing it in the folder alongside the broken application. Run another malware scan after installing the DLL just to be certain that the new file won’t be the cause of additional problems.