Solution to unable to locate mscoree.dll error

Mscoree.dll – File Information

The mscoree.dll module is associated with the Microsoft .NET program and is required to run programs written in the .NET programming language.

By default, the mscoree.dll file is stored in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. The most common size of this DLL file is 271,360 bytes. However, the mscoree.dll file is also known to exist in 155,648, 270,848, 282,112, 253, 952, 131,072, and 253, 440 bytes sizes.

Mscoree.dll errors

Error 1

When you try to run a .NET application executable (.exe) file on a computer that does not have .NET Framework installed on it, you may encounter the following error message or messages:

“Unable to Locate DLL – The Dynamic Link Library mscoree.dll could not be found in the specified path”
“Please set registry key HKLM\Software\Microsoft\.NETFramework\InstallRoot to point to the .NET Framework install location”

Cause of the Error

This mscoree.dll error is generated due to the absence of the .NET Framework on the target computer. You need.NET Framework installed on the computer on which you are trying to run applications and programs written for .NET Framework.

Solution

To fix mscoree.dll error, install .NET Framework on the target computer.

Note: For information on how to install .NET Framework, go through the instructions given in our last section.

Error 2

The following error may occur on a computer that has InstallShield installed on it but not .NET Framework.

“C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Professional\Run Time\0700\Intel32\DotNetInstaller.exe” cannot access a necessary file, “mscoree.dll”.

Cause of the Error

This mscoree.dll error is generally reported after you perform a diagnostic scan on your computer using an antivirus tool, such as Norton Antivirus or Norton WinDoctor. Some antivirus software identifies DotNetInstaller as a .NET application that requires .NET Framework; hence report the above error when .NET Framework is not present.

Solution

Note: The above mscoree.dll error does not affect the way any program or your computer works and can be safely ignored.

To fix mscoree.dll error, download and install the .NET Framework on your computer.

Besides the absence of the .NET Framework, another major cause of recurring mscoree.dll errors is malware infection. Malware programs, such as virus, worm, and trojans delete or modify the codes embedded in DLL files.

If the mscoree.dll file saved on your computer becomes corrupt, programs and applications may fail to use the file and you may receive recurring mscoree.dll errors. To prevent this, install reliable antimalware software on your computer and schedule regular virus/malware scans of your entire system.

How to install .NET Framework

  1. Visit the Microsoft Website and click the Download button.
  2. Next, in the File Download dialog box, click the Save button.
  3. Next, in the Save As dialog box, select Desktop in the Save in drop-down menu and click the Save button.
  4. Next, double-click on the dotnetredist.exe file, stored on your desktop to start the process of the .NET Framework file extraction.
  5. Read the End User License Agreement (EULA) and click Accept to proceed.
  6. Next, in the dotnetfix.exe dialog box, click the Browse button and select Desktop.
  7. When extraction is complete, go to your desktop, double-click on dotnetfix.exe to start the .NET Framework Setup installation and follow the on-screen instructions.

At times, problems with the software installed on your computer may occur if your system is infected with some type of malware. This is why, it is essential that you have robust antimalware tools, such as STOPzilla Antivirus and Spyware Cease installed on your computer. You must configure these tools to run regular full system scans on your computer on a daily basis.