By Default, Windows XP keeps DLL files in memory after applications have finished using them, in case they are needed again. What are DLL (Dynamic Link Library) Files? In a nutshell, they are a small collection of functions that carry out tasks that are needed by an application. Windows, by default, keeps DLLs cached in the memory for some time after the application it was associated with is closed. To prevent this behavior and force Windows XP to unload the DLL when the program closes, follow this guide.

Before beginning this guide, please do this

Click ,

then

Type regedit then click

Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

On the right hand side, Right Click and select New then DWord

 

Then type alwaysunloaddll for the name

Then Double Click on the new Dword and change the value to 1

Click OK, then Reboot

This guide was written by Jason LeDuc. Copyright © 2005-2006. All rights reserved.