shell32.dll
Windows Shell Common Dll by Microsoft Corporation (Signed)
This is a Windows system installed file with Windows File Protection (WFP) enabled.
Overview
shell32.dll has 35 known versions, the most recent one is 6.3.9600.17031 (winblue_gdr.140221-1952). It is installed as an Internet Explorer extension and will start when IE loads. It adds a context menu to the Window's shell named Open With. The average file size is about 15.05 MB. It is an authenticode code-signed executable issued to Microsoft Corporation by the certification authority Microsoft Corporation. The programs Webplayer, Grand Theft Auto V and Total Commander 64-bit (Remove or Repair) have been observed as installing specific variations of shell32.dll.
What is shell32.dll?
The Windows common shell DLL files (such as Shell32) are operating system (OS) files that contain vital information about the OS and your PC's hardware configuration. The Windows shell is the main graphical user interface in Microsoft Windows, today hosted by Windows Explorer. The Windows shell includes well-known Windows components such as the Taskbar and the Start menu.
About shell32.dll (from Microsoft Corporation)
“The Windows shell desktop is an array of icons, rendered behind all open windows and taking up the space left by the taskbar.”
 Details
|
| File name: | shell32.dll |
| Publisher: | Microsoft Corporation |
| Product name: | Windows Shell Common Dll |
| Description: | Microsoft® Windows® Operating System |
| Typical file path: | C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll |
| Original name: | SHELL32.DLL.MUI |
| Certificate |
| Issued to: | Microsoft Corporation |
| Authority (CA): | Microsoft Corporation |
| Expiration date: | Tuesday, July 9, 2013 |
Programs installed in
(Note, the programs listed below are for all versions of Windows Shell Common Dll.)
Webplayer Toolbar is a 'Community Toolbar' from Conduit, that plugs into the various web browsers such as IE, Chrome and Firefox. The toolbar is an advertising-supported program that is designed to di...
Total Commander is an Orthodox File Manager (OFM) for Windows that features include a built-in FTP client, tabbed interface, file compare, archive file navigation, and a versatile multi-rename tool wi...
Webplayer is an adware program that integrates into the user's web browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox) and will perform a number of functions mostly designed to generate advertising supported or affiliate...
Behaviors
(Note, the behaviors below are for all versions of shell32.dll, select a unique version for details.)
Shell open commands
Internet Explorer bars
- CLSID: {C4EE31F3-4768-11D2-BE5C-00A0C9A83DA1}
Context menu handlers
Located in '*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers'
- CLSID: {a2a9545d-a0c2-42b4-9708-a0b2badd77c8}
- Name: 'New'
- CLSID: {90AA3A4E-1CBA-4233-B8BB-535773D48449}
- Name: 'Open With EncryptionMenu'
- Name: 'Open With'
Search handlers
Autoplay handlers
Runs under the registry key 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers'
- Handler name 'MSCDBurningOnArrival'
Copy hook handlers
Internet Explorer shell browsers
- CLSID: {0E5CBF21-D15F-11D0-8301-00AA005B4383}
Internet Explorer web browsers
Located in the registry at 'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser'
- CLSID: {0E5CBF21-D15F-11D0-8301-00AA005B4383}
Shell execute hooks
- {AEB6717E-7E19-11d0-97EE-00C04FD91972}
Shell service object delay loads
PROTOCOLS filters
Safe for scripting controls
Marked as a safe ActiveX control for Internet Explorer (digitally signed with script execution permission)
- Implemented as 'CLSID\{72267F6A-A6F9-11D0-BC94-00C04FB67863}\Implemented Categories\{7DD95801-9882-11CF-9FA9-00AA006C42C4}'
- Implemented as 'CLSID\{1820FED0-473E-11D0-A96C-00C04FD705A2}\Implemented Categories\{7DD95801-9882-11CF-9FA9-00AA006C42C4}'
Safe for initializing controls
- {72267F6A-A6F9-11D0-BC94-00C04FB67863}
- {1820FED0-473E-11D0-A96C-00C04FD705A2}
All file variations of shell32.dll
Distribution by Windows OS
| OS version | distribution |
| Windows 8.1 |
42.50% |
|
| Windows 8.1 Pro |
28.50% |
|
| Windows 8.1 Single Language |
10.00% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
9.00% |
|
| Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center |
5.00% |
|
| Windows 8.1 N |
2.50% |
|
| Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation |
2.50% |
|
Distribution by country
United States installs about 45.00% of Windows Shell Common Dll.
Distribution by PC manufacturer
| PC Manufacturer | distribution |
| ASUS |
30.83% |
|
| Dell |
19.27% |
|
| Lenovo |
15.41% |
|
| Acer |
15.22% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard |
9.63% |
|
| Toshiba |
7.71% |
|
| Alienware |
1.93% |
|
