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can't install .exe file - dll already exists

Klaus Rossler 0 Reputation points
2025-12-05T17:11:22.04+00:00

Hello,

I can't a .exe file install on another computer ... but works perfectly on the original.

On the second computer it gets me an error message something like "dll already exists"

But where? I would think deleting any old leftovers would fix it but how to find them?

(it was installed and working here before)

I went through the registry and deleted everything with that name. ... to no avail.

Just for your information: the exe file in question is a syllabics keyboard to be added to available keyboards once installed. It's a pretty old program / file .... but it works perfectly on the original machine.

Tried compatibility, but there is no compatibility tab in properties.

I tried everything online, but nothing ...?

Any suggestions ... please

PS: there are no options in tags that fit this problem

Thanks

Sysinternals
Sysinternals
Advanced system utilities to manage, troubleshoot, and diagnose Windows and Linux systems and applications.
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-05T17:11:37.13+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It sounds like you're encountering a conflict with a DLL file that already exists on the second computer. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

    1. Check for Existing DLLs: Use a tool like Sysinternals Process Explorer to search for the DLL file in question. This tool can show you which processes are using the DLL and where it is located on the system.
    2. Safe Mode: Boot the second computer in Safe Mode and try to install the .exe file again. This can help avoid conflicts with other running applications.
    3. Clean Up the Registry: Since you've already checked the registry, ensure that you have removed all references to the DLL. Sometimes, there might be additional entries under different keys that could cause conflicts.
    4. Use Dependency Walker: This tool can help you identify which DLLs are being called by the .exe file and if there are any missing or conflicting versions.
    5. Reinstall the Program: If possible, uninstall any previous versions of the program completely, including all associated files and registry entries, before attempting to reinstall.
    6. Check System Path: Ensure that the DLL is not located in a system path that might be causing conflicts. You can check the system paths in the environment variables.
    7. Compatibility Settings: If the compatibility tab is missing, you can try running the installer from a command prompt with administrative privileges. You can also try using compatibility mode by right-clicking the .exe file and selecting "Run as administrator".

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consider reaching out to the software vendor for further assistance, especially since it is an older program.

    References:

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