shell32.dll
Windows Shell Common Dll by Microsoft Corporation (Signed)
This is a Windows system installed file with Windows File Protection (WFP) enabled.
Overview
There are 28 versions of shell32.dll in the wild, the latest version being 6.3.9600.17031 (winblue_gdr.140221-1952). It adds a context menu to the Window's shell named Open With. The average file size is about 15.83 MB. The file is a digitally signed and issued to Microsoft Corporation by 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
Context menu handlers
Located in '*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers'
- Name: 'New'
- CLSID: {a2a9545d-a0c2-42b4-9708-a0b2badd77c8}
- 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
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% |
|
